The Queen Of Katwe

Raised in the slums of Katwe, Uganda, Phiona Mutesi (Madina Nalwanga) and her mother, Nakku(Lupita Nyong'o) are doing their best to get by. However, when Phiona is introduced to the game of chess by local teacher Robert (David Oyelowo), her world begins to expand rapidly and her intelligence and talent for the game takes her on an incredible journey.

Sports films are, by their very definition, riven with cliches. A story of adversity, someone burdened with talent, trying to understand themselves through the prism of competitiveness, the long hours, the dedication - you can't really watch a sports film without drawing it to another one. With Queen of Katwe, the film embraces these cliches and doesn't even attempt to shy away them. Quite the opposite, it runs right into them and it's the film's truly unique setting and characters that allow them do so.

Set entirely in Uganda - and a brief stint in Russia - the story follows Phiona Mutesi, a young chess prodigy played by first-timer Madina Nalwanga, and her journey to become a champion at the sport. Her mother, Lupita Nyong'o is skeptical of the game at first and believes that the coach, David Oyelowo, has nefarious designs for her daughter. As Madina's abilities grow with the game, it becomes clear to all involved that she truly has a talent for it and quickly surpasses her coach. Before long, she and her fellow Katwe Pioneers - that's the youth team Oyelowo's character has made - are battling the upper crust of Ugandan society in chess tournaments. Between these battles, Madina's character faces struggles in her family life. Her sister, Night (Taryn Kyaze), has left the family behind and gone off with an unscrupulous character, returning home every so often to upset the balance. Her brother is injured in a shocking scene and their housing situation becomes increasingly dire, culminating in an equally shocking scene involving a flood.

Right around the table, the performances are very, very strong. David Oyelowo manages to convey a real sense of common decency and likability; that his only goal is to help the children around him achieve their true potential. This comes in contrast with Lupita Nyong'o, whose character has seen more than enough of the world to know that reality can crush dreams faster than anything. In the middle is Madine Nalwanga, whose arc mirrors her own performance. At first, she seems unsure of herself and her time on screen, allowing others to take the reins and run with a scene. Little by little, as her prowess in chess develops, we see more of her and begin to understand the character's motivations more and her portrayal becomes more nuanced and textured. The supporting cast of characters all fill out necessary roles - comic relief, adversary, stodgy types against them - reasonably well, but they're all eclipsed by the triumvirate of Nyong'o, Oyelowo and Nalwanga.

Mira Nair has form with telling stories from the margins of society. The Reluctant Fundamentalist all the way back to Salaam Bombay!, Nair has the innate ability to understand these cultures and make them accessible and understandable to Western audiences without pandering or making light of them. The vibrant use of colour, the wonderful soundtrack, the strong performances all work with Nair's deft direction and give what is easily one of the most powerful and uplifting stories of the year. William Wheeler's script does, admittedly, follow a familiar pattern for sports movies, but the truth is that it's all done so smartly and earnestly that you really won't care if it's predictable or not.

Bright, uplifting and with a powerful message, Queen of Katwe has a strong chance of featuring in this year's Oscar race.