A United Kingdom is a biographical romantic drama re-telling the tale of real life couple Sir Seretse Khama and his wife Ruth Williams Khama. It's a love story defying opposition with triumphant moments within history you probably weren't aware of previously. 

Unity is a common topic to talk about these days, it seems...and A United Kingdom is a film about politics, albeit a biographical one set decades ago. Primarily, however, it's a real life love story about love overcoming great odds. The unity in question concerns Seretse Khama and Ruth Williams, and his native Bechuanaland (nowadays Botswana). When an ordinary woman from Londoner falls in love with a man who turns out to be the Chief of one of the biggest tribes in Bechuanaland (basically a prince), all hell breaks loose for the star-crossed lovers. It's an inter-racial relationship in a time where it was not warmly received, for one.  Secondly, it opens a whole can of political tension worms, involving family tribal feuds, the British empire and the South African Apartheid. A whole load of events take place, lots of "we will get through this together", wrapped up in a film that is overall just quite sweet.

While you have to admire the straightforward love, there's less emphasis on the build-up. There's some meaningful eye contact, a dance, a couple of dates and then BAAM it's like death us do part in 5 minutes. There is some sincerity and sweetness between the two, but I wasn't totally convinced on the "I love you so much I'd do anything for you" part and I think it's simply down to rushing the courtship front a bit too quickly at the start of the film. That said, you do have to admire how loyal they were to each other. Ruth, with being able to pack up everything and move to Bechuanaland for the man she loves without batting an eyelid. The opposition from locals with having a white foreign woman being their queen was harsh but very believable on screen and Rosamund Pike's demonstration of inner strength is admirable. There's also the pressure from their families, colonial authorities, the British government, general rude people on the street, and the fact that it raises such a stance against neighbouring South Africa - whether unwittingly or not. If your love can withstand all of that, people would say "make that into a film" and that's exactly what has happened. It's not just a love story, but a journey - and that's what makes it so charming.

Once the film moves from London to Bechuanaland, it comes to life. The animals, the stunning views, the villages and villagers... I love the natural setting and that they spent a lot of time filming in Botswana - I really felt transported there. The gorgeous plains and simple village life are a stark contrast from the grey and dreary London.

The other contrast between the hopeful newlyweds and the British Empire baddies is somewhat exaggerated - Tom Felton and Jack Davenport play hard-nosed and slimy characters that are written to instantly dislike and mistrust. Poor Felton can't get through a sentence without wrinkling his nose in disgust. Davenport's character Alistair Canning also manages to be constantly travelling the world constantly despite it being the late 40s.


It has a strong message, but the film kinda just stays on one level. Don't get me wrong, it's a consistent level, but it just kinda strolls along, turning pages but this is a book you could easily put down at any given moment. The messages are delivered powerfully, however, and the film's big speeches were the moments that gave me goosebumps. What really works is the way it makes you root so hard for the couple. There's definitely things we can learn here about loyalty, love and defiance.

Ignoring the cheesy poster that's plastered on public transport everywhere (and the acting which borders on cheesy), this is a remarkable story that can inspire you. I never really doubted they would be kept apart, but it's a story of hope and overcoming obstacles and maybe we could use a little more of that in our lives.

A United Kingdom is in cinemas now.


A big thanks to the FDA for the advanced screening!