Mr. Movie review: ‘Queen of Katwe’ an uplifting true story
This is a unique, wonderful and uplifting biopic. A 9-year old girl in Uganda born into poverty stumbles onto a chess club run by a missionary. Phiona mainly went because she heard there was food. While there, she takes a shot at playing chess, and it turns out she is not just good, she’s brilliant.
Chess is a sport. Most movies about people playing chess in competition is like watching grass grow. Director Mira Nair (Monsoon Wedding) digs deep into how Phiona mentor and others try to lift her out of squalid conditions and how Phiona becomes a national hero and an inspiration to others in the same condition.
Best movie of this week’s bunch.
Queen of Katwe
Director: Mira Nair
Stars: Lupita Nyong’o, David Oyelowo, Madina Nalwanga
Mr. Movie rating: 4 stars
Rated PG for mature themes. It’s playing at Regal’s Columbia Center 8 and the Fairchild Cinemas Pasco 12 and Queensgate 12.
5 stars to 4 1/2 stars: Must see on the big screen.
4 stars to 3 1/2 stars: Good film, see it if it’s your type of movie.
3 stars to 2 1/2 stars: Wait until it comes out on DVD.
2 stars to 1 star: Don’t bother.
0 stars: Speaks for itself.
This story was originally published September 29, 2016 at 1:32 PM with the headline "Mr. Movie review: ‘Queen of Katwe’ an uplifting true story."