Streaming: HBO
Warnings:
Violence
Sex
Domestic Abuse
Drugs
Explicit Language
Racism
Rating: R
Queen and Slim is a romantic crime drama that centers on a young Black couple who become fugitives after accidentally killing a racist police officer during a traffic stop. Queen and Slim is a modern romance that examines police brutality and what it means to be a Black individual in America. Directed by Melina Matsoukas and written by Lena Waithe based on a story by James Frey and Waithe, the film takes the audience on an unexpected adventure. The film stars Daniel Kaluuya, Jodie Turner-Smith, Bokeem Woodbine, Chloë Sevigny, Flea, Sturgill Simpson, and Indya Moore. Queen and Slim had its world premiere at the AFI Film Festival and was theatrically released by Universal Pictures. Queen and Slim generally received positive reviews, especially Daniel Kaluuya and Jodie Turner-Smith for their lead performances, Waithe’s script and Matsouka’s feature directional debut. The film was nominated for Outstanding Actress, Outstanding Actor, Outstanding Original Score as well as Outstanding Film. Queen and Slim won numerous awards including Best Movie from the BET Awards, Outstanding Emerging Director, Outstanding First Screenplay and Outstanding Production Design from the Black Reel Awards (to name a few). Queen and Slim also did well in the Box office, with a budget of only $20 million, the film grossed $47 million in the Box Office. From the cinematography, the unique yet familiar storyline, and the wonderful musical score, the film was destined to be a hit.
The concept of Queen and Slim is similar to Shakespearean tragedies while also hinting to similarities of Bonnie and Clyde. Along with this combination, the film highlights the issue of police brutality in America and explores what it’s like to be a Black individual targeted by a racist police officer. Kaluuya and Turner-Smith brought this story to life through their impeccable acting. An interesting and important fact about the two characters, according to Waithe, the divergent world views of Ernest (Slim) and Angela (Queen) were based on the differences between Martin Luther King and Malcolm X. Both Ernest and Angela are relatable and complex characters, this depiction allows the audience to have a deeper connection with the characters. Queen and Slim also forces the audience to contemplate how probable this situation is for Black individuals in America, which is a necessary conversation to start.
The cinematography is a breathtaking element of the film, it is incredibly well executed and beautiful throughout. Tat Radcliffe executed the cinematography, he is known for such films as ’71, Pride, and Whiteboy Rick, he also has worked on the show Lovecraft Country. Radcliffe plays with color in the film in more ways than one, from muted tones on the countryside, to dramatic hues of blue and red, the cinematography follows the moods of the story in a stunning way. The location of the camera is played with as well, at one point in the film when Angela and Ernest are on the run, the camera is following them in a shot from behind. This makes the audience feel as if they are riding along in the backseat. In another shot, Ernest opens the car door and the camera is attached to the door. These choices are aesthetically pleasing to the eye and psychologically forces the audience to place themselves in the film like a fly on the wall. Tat Radcliffe won Outstanding Cinematography from the Black Reel Awards.
The music and sound editing are something that stood out in Queen and Slim; the music fit well with the scenes and always added to the moment in the film. The score was composed by Devonté Hynes who is an English artist from London. Hynes is also a singer, songwriter, record producer and director. When searching for an artist to compose the musical score for Queen and Slim, Matsoukas stated that she wanted a “Black composer that could live between classical, hip-hop, and pop that’s current.” Matsoukas turned to Solange Knowles for advice, and she suggested Hynes for the role. Queen and Slim won Top Music Film Awards from ASCAP London Awards, Outstanding Original Song from the Black Reel Awards, and was nominated for Outstanding Soundtrack/Compilation Album from the NAACP Image Awards.
Queen and Slim is a heartbreaking film that doesn’t stray away from the traumatic truth of what its likes to be Black in America. It also highlights issues with police brutality and what the Black Lives Matter movement is working towards. Throughout their journey the characters meet a variety people, their interactions expose different opinions of the American people about police brutality which is an impactful part of the story. Overall, this film is remarkable, a tragedy and something that forces the audience to think outside of themselves. This is a necessary film especially because of the conversation it starts about police brutality in the United States. I highly recommend this film for an evening you wish to view an introspective dramatic romance.