Rent Queen & Slim on Amazon Video
Written by: Lena Waithe (screenplay by), James Frey and Lena Waithe (story by)
Directed by: Melina Matsoukas
Starring: Daniel Kaluuya, Jodie Turner-Smith, Bokeem Woodbine
Rated: R
Watch the trailer
Plot
A couple's first date takes an unexpected turn when a police officer pulls them over.
Verdict
While this movie definitely makes a point about race and law enforcement, what makes it so compelling is the relationship that builds between the unnamed characters as they flee from the law. If this was just a movie making a point it would feel hollow, but the relationship serves as a foundation as the characters consider legacy, life, and love.
This manages to tie those ideas into the story and that's impressive. The writing has a lot of subtlety as the characters develop, and we see what the incident means to the country at large as they encounter others. We're watching Queen & Slim's story, but the ramifications are much larger.
Watch it.
Review
This movie builds scenes without needing exposition. This opens with a first date between unnamed characters, Queen & Slim, and we know that without anyone stating it. It's an awkward conversation, but also authentic. The date quickly devolves on the drive home when they're pulled over by a police officer.
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| Jodie Turner-Smith & Daniel Kaluuya play Queen & Slim. |
If you know anything about the movie, you know where this is going. Slim is ordered to get out of the car and consents to a search. I was surprised when Slim asked the officer to "hurry up." I don't see him doing that, but I suppose the movie needs something to escalate the situation. I'm not surprised at the police officer's over-reaction, just that Slim would say that. Then again, that might be the point. If a white character said the same thing, I'm not sure I'd have an issue. I also would be surprised if the police officer acted in the same way. The movie is highlighting that double standard.
I get why they run. There is no argument to the incident, just their side of a story that would be irrelevant if in a court of law. That's the point the movie makes. The situation wouldn't happen if a white couple was pulled over. 
Two strangers are bound together. It creates a sense of intimacy because they share this burden together. I don't think everyone would know who they are along the way, but it works for the story. I credit the movie for remaining intense throughout. You assume there is no way this ends well and they are continually pointed to another friend of a friend that will help them escape. This is a powerful movie and the ending is intense because we just don't know what might happen. Neither do we, and it's that looming fear that drives the plot.
The movie doesn't delve into this, but the police release a dash cam video. We don't see the video, but I bet the video doesn't show the officer shooting an unnamed woman. This doesn't portray law enforcement in the best light, but it also makes you consider alleged criminals in a new light. Police tell the public people are bad or resisted arrest, but this movie shows that history is written by the winners. There are distinct parallels with this and the killing of George Floyd, despite the movie releasing nearly six months earlier and the script written earlier than that.
There's a secondary story between a kid at a protest and a police officer. I don't quite know what it means. It could be that when bad police aren't removed from their position that all police start to look like enemies. That's true for this kid. There's also a parallel to this side story and the inciting incident of the movie. The kid and the police officer make a similar mistake, but the different should be age, experience, and training which the kid lacks in all respects.
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