“I want a ride-or-die. I just want someone that’s always gonna love me, no matter what. Someone that’s gonna hold my hand and never let it go. She got to be special, though. ‘Cause she gonna be my legacy.”
“What do you mean?”
“I ain’t going to bend the world. As long as my lady remembers me fondly, that’s all I need.”
Happy Valentine’s Day :heart:
The flipside of Bonnie and Clyde - these two are innocent, mostly! Achingly sad, this is a well made film that resonates with the climate we are still living in. One day this type of film will stop being made - sadly, this won't be in the forseeable future. See it - get angry - raise your voice to make a change.
Queen & Slim is a road movie that takes its sweet time to get where it's going but that's fine because the time is sweet and if the film wasn't in a hurry, neither was I.
Sure there were some scenes that tried too hard to be poetic and some speeches that reached far too much for meaning and these would've been better left on the cutting room floor. But in the end what mattered is that they did try, and the desire with which they strived is what gives the film its poetry and makes the movie meaningful.
One of the more beautiful aspects of Queen & Slim is that it is very much pro-black without being anti-white, anti-male or even anti-cop. They should've called it Black Book because it's the film Green Book liked to think it was, or African American Honey because its imagery of the sprawling expanse of the United States of Black America made this film the treasure it is.
As for the occasional missteps, the gorgeous soundtrack glosses over the flaws and helps deliver a film of rare raw and polish. I just hope the white privilege (myself included) filling the Parisian cinema I was at heard the message this movie was making.
Amazed by all the positive comments for a movie extremely slow, boring and in excess of propaganda and PC.
All of that could be avoided with just talking, explaining and of course not having her thinking she is the queen of the world just because of the color of her skin and not making complete stupid decisions and exaggerate on every scene and speech. The guy was a puppet of her without any free will.
No, people are not afraid of black on a horse because they had to look up. So racist.
This is clearly a very talented filmmaker. Not only does it look fantastic, but there’s a great rhythm to the editing and a lot of attention given to the music selection. I love the two main characters and their progression throughout the story, I think it’s very well written and acted. The story itself has a great hook and some interesting social commentary, but it’s not entirely without issues. Some of the plotting can feel a little mechanical, which leads to moments of tension that aren’t earned or scenes that feel unrealistic. Also, I think it starts to become a little watered down near the end. Its allegorical meaning should be perfectly clear for any attentive viewer, however the filmmaker really wants to hammer the point home with a bunch of scenes that are way too on the nose. Cutting those scenes out would improve the overall experience. Nevertheless, I think this is still pretty easily recommended.
6.5/10
A powerful socio-political statement disguised as a road-movie
Embracing the notion that Black Lives very much Matter, the film is something of a stealth social commentary insofar as it wears the disguise of the classic genre template of a duo on the run. And it works perfectly well as a taut road-movie. However, underneath the genre elements, you'll find a condemnation of a criminal justice system that seemingly targets minorities, a celebration of black unity and cultural vibrancy, and an examination of Trump's divided America. It's not an angry diatribe per se, certainly not in the sense that some of Spike Lee's films are, but it does attempt to Speak Truth to Power and it is fundamentally of the moment. It also happens to be a very fine film, albeit a little too long and with some strange tonal inconsistencies.
For my complete review, please visit: https://boxd.it/Z5qLV
Superb. I know nothing about this movie going into it, but i was instantly charmed. The ending was very predictable, but it's the only way it could be.
Some people think trying is enough to rate a movie 7/10 but I don't agree. Queen and Slim has an interesting idea that it trys to flesh out but it fails in key spots.
One of the weak links is Jodie Turner-Smith, her scenes are hit and miss. Lines are often delivered in wooden way. It's like she's checked out sometimes and is just waiting for her cue to speak. Overall Smith's performance is lacking.
The weakest link is the writing. There is a scene early on at a gas station that is one of the dumbest things I've seen in a movie in years. Slim flashes the clerk his gun and the clerk asks if he can hold it? And he actually lets him hold it?! That should have never made it off the page but somehow it made the final cut. There are some more scenes that defy logic but nothing topped that.
Aside from some poor acting and writing Queen and Slim is well shot and scored. Daniel Kaluuya is also good here but even he could not push this movie out of the skip it neighborhood.
Brilliant. The whole thing is just brilliant. The ending is so sad though...
This right here is a sleeper hit.
This film joins so many of my favourite things: bonnie & clyde trope, road stories, epic love, daniel kaluuya, gorgeous cinematography, amazing music... I was itching to watch it, so I did as soon as it came out on digital. It lived up to every single expectation and exceeded others. I freaking LOVED it. Daniel and Jodie were incredible and their chemistry was on fire from the very first scene; the film is shot sooo beautifully, it actually reminded me so much of Moonlight, which i basically consider the most beautiful movie i've ever watched (the greenish tilt, the emotional close ups, the stillness in the movement.. just gorgeous, some shots are gonna stay in my mind for weeks). Can't wait to watch it again!
This is one of the greatest movies ever. Deserves an Oscar.
the ending is sad. there's always someone willing to sell out.
Shout by Neal MahoneyVIP 8BlockedParent2019-11-30T18:48:56Z
A solid movie with something to say. The characters are well developed. The acting is good. The movie is a little long, like there was one too many things that sidetracked them. Also some of the choices the characters made were questionable.