Review of A United Kingdom (2016) by Heather M — 30 Jul 2017

Director Amma Asante tells the story in a straightforward way. Plot details are foreshadowed in quiet character moments that make sense once fulfilled. She uses the power of the visual medium to elevate certain scenes without going full arthouse, though there are some beautiful landscape shots of southern Africa.

The scene where Pike admits her love for a black man is set within a doorway frame. Herself, along with her two parents and sister are cramped in this small space as the heated conversation climaxes. The top of the doorway creates an illusion of skewed aspect ratio to add more tension.

The father proclaims he will have nothing to do with the situation, then walks towards the camera and appears to step out of the imitation frame. It's as if he is walking out of the film entirely.

Fitting, as he does not reappear outside of a brief scene towards the end while the mother and sister are prominent characters throughout A United Kingdom.