
Amma Asante directs David Oyelowo, Rosamund Pike and Jack Davenport in this true story of an African prince who marries a white Londoner but risks his nation’s sovereignty with the Empire by doing so.
A fascinating fact based story well told, though a certain heavyhanded worthiness slows things down in the second half. Pike and Oyelowo’s London courtship is the highlight as they get satisfying screentime together here and chime exceedingly well with each other, so when the political machinations in Africa eventually take centre stage the film loses its heart a little. Handsome enough Sunday teatime fare.
6