FILM REVIEW: "Queen and Slim" is a powerful wander through black America’s struggles
Accountability is the vice of any organisation, lest the Police Force, whose tiresome prevention of crime is undermined by poor decision making and the loss of innocent lives. It is stated that a hundred guilty should be acquitted, if one innocent is convicted, and yet random shootings of innocent African-Americans occur frequently, and without reasoning.
Queen and Slim follows the tragedy of titular duo (Powerbomb performers Nightflyer's Jodie Turner-Smith and Get Out's Daniel Kaluuya), whose first date turns into a statewide cat-and-mouse game after they unwillingly kill a police officer during a traffic stop altercation.
First and foremost, Queen and Slim is stunning and stylish, there are no complaints that can be stated against costume designer Shiona Turini's breathtaking outfits or cinematographer Tat Radcliffe's cunning eye; which pair to produce spellbindingly gorgeous aesthetics in every scene. Labelled as Romeo and Juliette meets Bonnie and Clyde, Queen and Slim shares little from those classic tales other than its namesake and bloodshed. At its heart, Queen and Slim is a story of growth and change, whether forced or earned. Negating the ways of previous crime films that descend into cold-bloodedness, Queen and Slim maintains a sense of honour and rightfulness, revelling in its character's journeys and the strangers they meet and inspire along the way.
Queen and Slim is the feature film directorial debut of Melina Matsoukas, best known for her Grammy-winning work on Beyonce's 'Formation', evidently Matsoukas has already mastered her craft with her uniquely stylish depictions of the vices and virtues of the world. Matsoukas is used to working on tight 3 minute stories, where visuals depict what words cannot, this knowledge has helped her create a beautiful tale that gives its creative team upmost opportunities to shine; the journey to doom is paved with white horses and neon lights.
Daniel Kaluuya and Jodie Turner-Smith shine in their titular roles, Kaluuya has yet to give a poor performance in his career, and paves the role of Slim with a quiet hum that evolves into prowess and pride when push comes to shove. Turner-Smith is powerful and evocative in her role as Queen, whose name direly relates to her characters strong-will and warm heart.
Though Queen and Slim occasionally bogs down in its obtuse desire to explore its wide array of sub-characters—some vastly more interesting than others—these detours do not derail the film.
With each passing face and environment, the audience is treated to a wide array of music, exploring the finer reaches and evolution of jazz and hip hop, and finishing with a remarkably gorgeous outing by Moses Sumney, whose church-like vocals evoke a keen sense of damnation and glory.
Queen and Slim is a beautiful, important and incredibly stylish film. Though its characters physical journey leaves some events to be desired, the soul of Queen and Slim and its daring juxtaposition with the current world’s climate of race politics and police brutality prove an intoxicating mix. Matsoukas, Turini and Radcliffe are all names to look out for whatever they work on next, and no doubt will Queen and Slim have a legacy much akin to its namesake.
