Adapted from Susan Williams’ novel Colour Bar, A United Kingdom initially rushes the whirlwind yearlong courtship which is interspersed with fractured familial relations (on both sides) and vulgar societal racism. The interracial newlyweds face a searing backlash from Khama’s Bamangwato community, the apartheid government of South Africa and duplicitous British diplomats who are intent on rescinding the politically volatile marriage at any cost. David Oyelowo and Rosamund Pike share a warm and authentic chemistry together as an embroiled yet doting couple facing a socio-political battle of industrial scale. Oyelowo possess a dignified restraint throughout but truly electrifies whilst delivering rousing speeches with statesmanlike finesse (a feat which was no doubt refined whilst playing Dr Martin Luther King, Jr in Ava DuVernay’s 2015 biopic Selma). Pike’s courageous and forthright Ruth is a welcome change to the tediously stereotypical Englishwoman usually portrayed in period dramas, whose stalwart intelligence shines in the face bigoted adversity. Together Oyelowo and Pike hit every scripted emotional beat and it’s difficult to not be moved by their undying devotion for each other and the Bechuanaland nation. Throughout the surrounding political earthquake Asante allows secondary character subplots to flourish and breathe, making A United Kingdom soar way above the parapets of a middling romantic melodrama. Bolstered dialogue from screenwriter Guy Hibbert (Eye In The Sky) navigates the complex political stratagems proficiently whilst never underplaying the vitally tender exchanges central to the impassioned narrative. A United Kingdom is in UK cinemas now.