Based on a true story: Phiona Mutesi (Madina Nalwanga) is a ten-year old living in the slum district of Katwe, Uganda. Through the kind and able mentoring of a local missionary (David Oyelowo), she discovers the joys of chess and realizes a potential that is beyond her life circumstances. "Queen of Katwe" is an American film and in the English language.The film's first half is very appealing especially as it exposes class struggle and prejudice in various situations. Phiona is seen as the poorest of the poor when she first learns chess among neigbourhood peers; later, she and her new peers face further barriers and snobbery as their collective and individual talents take them to much higher places. It is more than just a battle against other chess opponents. The bigger battle is the internal voice that says, "I don't belong here" when sent to places that radically differ from the Katwe slums.Sadly, the film sags in the second half. It is even more disappointing that the directing is by Mira Nair who has done so well with other films especially "Monsoon Wedding" back in 2001. Despite the depth of the inspiring story in the first half, a blandness takes over in the second. This is unfortunate considering the movie's potential. In any case, Oyelowo is moving as the father-like figure - not surprising considering his fine work in "Selma".

We love achievement movies (about sports or any other kind of talent) and we like movies about gifted children and we like chess. So we expected to really enjoy this movie. But it is not too exciting. It was a bit of a let down. And it is too long for the story it has to tell. I wouldn't recommend it.

This movie was absolutely astonishing. I loved this movie it makes a stand for not only women, but black people as well. It shows that we can be intellectuals and champion's. I like how the movie shows the young character who was a great actress started from the slums but fought her way to a better life style even after losing her home. This movie made me emotional and wish I had their type of discipline and understand their struggles. I think this movie was great and everyone should have saw this movie.

Queen of Katwe The reason women don't play chess is because all of the pieces resemble penises.Fortunately, the female in this drama is unafraid of the phallic looking bits.Raised by her single mother (Lupita Nyong'o) in the abject poverty of Katwe, Uganda along side her brothers and sisters, 10-year-old Phiona Mutesi (Madina Nalwanga) doesn't have much of a future beyond selling her body.That is until she meets Robert Katende (David Oyelowo), a soccer coach who teaches chess to his players on the side. Intrigued, Phiona joins his club where she proves a phenom and fierce competitor.As her matches take her further from the slums, she finds more to life than Katwe.The powerful and inspiring depiction of the real-life chess champion, this Disney adaption of an ESPN magazine article on Phiona is a true underdog movie with vibrant performances from its leads that help transcend the film's more formulaic moments.Moreover, it's good for the male chess players to meet a real-life female. Green Lightvidiotreviews.blogspot.ca