Worth: $15.00
FilmInk rates movies out of $20 — the score indicates the amount we believe a ticket to the movie to be worth
Cast:
Satinder Sartaaj, Shabana Azmi, Jason Flemyng, Amanda Root, David Essex
Intro:
...a superb historical tool as well as a beautiful film.
The Black Prince tells the story of the Last King of Punjab, Maharajah Duleep Singh. Exiled from his country by the British colonisers, the young Singh was placed into the care of a Scottish couple, and befriended by Queen Victoria (Amanda Root).
From seasoned actor turned writer/director Kavi Raz, the story of the Punjab monarchy and British rule is a poignant saga focused on the tragedies of colonialism. The 19th century story of Maharajah Duleep Singh is made relevant to the current political climate in subtle ways that make the film contemporary and more accessible to audiences who might be unfamiliar with the story.
Singh, played by Satinder Sartaaj in his first acting role, led an interesting and eventful life, which actually complicates The Black Prince narrative because it is forced to tell a dense story in two hours. In its attempts to reach a wide international audience (the film is being released internationally on the same day around the world), The Black Prince includes a lot of background information, which helps Kavi Raz contextualise the plot but does no favours for the beginning of the film.
When discussing his childhood, the film loses much needed momentum as the timeline is told nonlinearly and confusingly. In fact, the entire first hour feels like an introduction to the character of the Maharajah. However, the second half picks up considerably in terms of action and character development.
Despite it being the story of the last Lion of Punjab, the film itself relies on its supporting cast to advance the story and the character of the king. While not inherently a negative, the Maharajah speaks so infrequently in the first half of the movie that his personality is confusing and investment in the character is lost. While it may have been a conscious choice to show the Maharajah as lost in the world, it comes across negatively as a viewing experience.
Perhaps this is why the supporting cast shines so bright. Shabana Azmi, as Singh’s mother Maharani Jinda, steals every scene she graces. One of the highlights is Azmi showing off her talents during an intense dinner scene. As a mother trying to reconnect her son with his heritage as well as reconnect with her son, Azmi puts so much intensity and passion into her scenes that it forces the audience to pay attention.
The production values are top notch with the visuals and music elevating The Black Prince. The world in which the film takes place is immersive and opulent, but also helps turn the film into a cultural and historical lesson on the Punjabi and Victorian culture at the time. It’s the kind of ingredients that made The Viceroy’s House a recent hit at the box office, and bodes well for The Black Prince of finding an audience.
For those unfamiliar with the story of the Punjab, this is a superb historical tool as well as a beautiful film. While the story drags in the beginning, the acting chops of Azmi and the supporting cast, in addition to the music, costuming, and scenery elevate The Black Prince into a historical tale, which will resonate with audiences through its themes of reconnecting with yourself. For those familiar with the story of Maharajah Duleep Singh, the movie is a faithful and powerful story about the Punjabi king and his struggle to reclaim his identity under the strong arm of the British. While it wavers at times, the greater takeaways from the film help The Black Prince maintain its power.
