* i won't mention everything from the movie, just the scenes that stuck with me the most*
**DO NOT READ IF YOU HAVE NOT SEEN THE MOVIE**
Queen & Slim.
Directed by Melina Matsoukas.
Starring Daniel Kaluuya & Jodie Smith.
I've seen a lot of mixed reviews on this movie, so I decided to put my own two cents in. Honestly, this movie isn't for everyone, but it sure as hell was for me. One thing that cannot be denied, this was one powerful ass film that sparked thoughts, conversation, & even tears.
I look at Queen & Slim as the Black Bonnie & Clyde .. just better & more relatable to the Black American audience.
The movie starts off pretty quick & to the point. A first date that didn't seem like it would result in a second one. They're polar opposites of each other, but you can also tell there's some sort of liking of one another .. even if it was deep down. I loved how even though it wasn't the fanciest restaurant, Slim mentioned how it was "Black-owned" & Queen couldn't do anything but respect that.
Once they left the restaurant & started to drive home, things switched instantly. They end up getting pulled over by a cop for "failure to use turn signals" & slight swerving.
Yes, you guessed it, he was white.
Immediately you can sense the fear in Slim. Being Black in America, you have no idea how a cop pullover could end. The cop pulls a racist ass move while pulling out a gun & ends up dying. Although it was self defense, be real, how likely was it they'd see the light of day if they turned themselves in?
Before the credits even start rolling, you have two Black revolutionaries (whether they wanted to be or not) on the run from the law.
(sidenote: they should've included On The Run Pt II x Jay & Bey on the soundtrack)
One thing i love about this film is although it's pretty serious, it includes humor sprinkled throughout it. Early in their journey, they came across a man who supported what they were doing even though they weren't intentionally doing anything.
They end up in colorful + tasteful New Orleans. I loved this inclusion, because what's more Black + cultural than New Orleans?? So perfect. Here we meet Queen's uncle & learn more about her past that broadens the perspective of who Queen is as a Black woman. They receive the assistance they need, & head on their way.
The film then starts to get dreamy + poetic.
Their relationship + connection starts to grow stronger.
Reality hits them more by the minute, by the hour, by the day.
As serious as their situation is, Slim recommends some fun: dancing. This moment allowed them to be normal people, even if it was for a quick moment. I love how they were in a safe space, as the bartender confirmed. It was a beautiful scene, full of Black bodies living + loving.
When the house they were hiding out at got rampaged by the feds, their asses got lucky. A Black cop saw them, but decided to let them go. It was hilarious being that he knew he heard them but his white partner swore it was a deer + doubted his judgment. A big virtual hug to that cop.
Along the way, they meet a little boy who looks at them as superheros. He lets them know that they brought on the start of something powerful. They sparked hope in not only that little boy, but many many others. Hence, the protest rally held by fellow Black Americans in which this little boy attended. This scene combined with an intense + beautiful sex scene, shocked me & brought many chills to my body. People have their own interpretations, but i believe that these scenes combined represented the "baby" that Queen & Slim created ... the actions of that little boy at the rally was the baby. Although it was in a sense fucked up that he shot a Black cop, that little boy cared + wanted change & revolution. Rest in peace to his fictional soul.
It was amazing to witness how both seemed to fall in love with life as they fell in love with each other. The appreciated the scenery around them (which was depicted in a way that made me want to be in that car with them). They had so many honest conversations with each other ... about life, about love, about everything. At one point, you almost forgot they were on the run, because they didn't focus solely on them & their unfortunate ass situation.
The ending was literally heartbreaking for me, among many others, but also not surprising in the slightest bit. Many would argue that this film showed a tired ass narrative, but i find it so different than most Black films. Yes, there can be Black movies where they don't die or sell each other out, but no one can deny how realistic this movie was.
Overall, i saw balance. Violent while loving. Disgusting while sexy. Hopeful while hopeless. I would have loved for a happy ending, but think to the reality of Amerikkka ... what are the chances of our Black asses getting away with murdering a cop? Dead or alive?
Precisely.
The tragic ending did not go in vain. Like i said before, they sparked a huge change. & even though it's a fictional movie, many of us were touched in real life. It might as well have been real. Maybe we'll get a Black movie that doesn't involve our oppression + us being killed, but this ain't it. & that's okay. We needed this. It was raw, uncut, & real.
Queen & Slim ...
Movie of the fucking year.
Black love.
Black empowerment.
Black poetry.
A Black ass, culturally correct film.
Beautiful + touching beyond words.
Thank you so much for this.
Oh, & shoutout to the Queen & Slim Soundtrack!
Just as beautiful + colorful as the film.
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