Shadreck Chikoti
Production: GOSM Films & FURAHA Films
Storyteller: Alinafe Trywell Mwambira
Cast: Miracle Chinga, Joyce Mhango Chavula, Ian Chisekula, Edwin Chonde, Aida Chika Chabs,
Innocent Manyera.
When you watch a movie, the most important thing is that it entertains you, that you can watch it from beginning to end and walk away satisfied. On that front, “The Royal Dilemma,” delivers. Those who attended the premiere left happy, having been thoroughly entertained. And for that, the filmmakers deserve their flowers.
However, a work of art must also be evaluated on its artistry. While the strength of this film undoubtedly lies in its story, the twists and turns that keep you engaged, the technical execution and production choices reveal a work that, while ambitious, still has room to grow.
The narrative is classic yet layered. A princess, Rose, falls in love with a peasant, Given. The King and Chief disapprove, not merely out of classism but because they had intended their daughter to marry into power, another kingdom. When the princess refuses to relent, the Queen takes matters into her own hands and attempts to kill the peasant. Given flees to another kingdom, where he is summoned by a king after being found with an artifact belonging to the king’s long-lost son. In a twist of fate, Given is revealed to be the grandson and rightful heir to that throne. He returns to his former lover, Princess Rose, only to discover the final, devastating twist: Rose is his half-sister, the child abandoned years earlier by the very Queen who now sits beside the King. Does the marriage continue? Does the queen live? What is the reaction from the King? These are some of the questions that keep the audience glued.
This is a story rich with potential. The twists are believable, and the linear structure makes it easy to follow even as multiple threads unfold. However, the execution of these threads is where the film falters. The story runs on multiple narratives, but instead of blending seamlessly, one story is halted to make room for another. The result is a film that feels segmented rather than fluid.
The acting quality varies across the cast. Some performances feel overly theatrical, at times resembling a stage play more than a cinematic production. There is a certain theatricality to the performances that works on a live stage but feels exaggerated on screen. That said, it must be acknowledged that seasoned actors like Joyce Mhango Chavula, Ian Chisekula, Edwin Chonde, and Innocent Manyera brought their maturity and experience to bear. Their performances were natural, a testament to the craft they have developed over the years.
The development of the romantic relationship between Rose and Given feels somewhat unconvincing and overly theatrical, particularly in Rose’s portrayal, which leans toward melodrama
But the standout, without question, is Aida Chika Chabs. Aida is one of those actors the industry should begin to pay close attention to. Her performance in this film was natural and deeply convincing. From the onset to the very end, she sustained her character with consistency and authenticity. She was, in many ways, one of the anchors that held the movie together.
On the other hand, Miracle Chinga’s performance leaned more toward the dramatic side. While energy is not a flaw, there were moments where the acting felt like acting, lacking the subtlety that makes screen performances resonate. This though, is mostly the work of the producer, who should have directed her. But this is often the case, when directors fail to guide superstars because they are superstars and therefore, tisamuvititse, akudziwa kale. The interaction between Given and his parents also came across as mechanical and didactic, more like actors delivering lines than a family in crisis. Scenes that should have carried emotional weight, such as the father confronting his wife with baby Given when he is discovered in the bush, or the moment Given is called out after being warned, felt devoid of genuine emotion.
The technical aspects of The Royal Dilemma reveal the gap between ambition and execution.
There are moments of genuine beauty. The cinematography in the King’s Chamber at the beginning of the movie is particularly striking. However, this is undercut by questionable choices elsewhere. The use of what appeared to be an AI-generated image to represent a distant view of the palace, with static zebras, and unrealistic colours that did not much the rest of the movies, felt artificial and cheapened the production value.
The music in the film sounded generic rather than intentional. A great film often has a soundtrack you can associate with it long after leaving the theatre, think of how certain scores become inseparable from the movies they belong to. The Royal Dilemma lacks that signature identity. The sound mixing was inconsistent; in some places, the audio levels were balanced, while in others, dialogue would be too loud or too soft, suggesting that syncing was not done uniformly throughout.
The ending is prolonged unnecessarily. After the final twist is revealed, the film lingers without earning that runtime. There are also scenes that feel superfluous, such as a moment where Miracle’s character shares an extended moment with the newly installed Chief Given, a scene that adds little to the overall narrative.
Perhaps the most perplexing aspect of the film is its handling of tribal identity. The film is clearly set in a fictional context, yet it makes a point to mention the Chewa tribe with the line “Adakwatiwana ndi mchewa” (They got married to a Chewa). This raises an uncomfortable question: if the world is fictional, why single out the Chewa? Are the other characters meant to be Tumbuka? By selectively injecting real-world tribal identities into a fictional narrative, the film introduces a political tension that feels unnecessary and distracting. If the intention was to build a fictional world, then let it be entirely fictional. The inconsistency does the story a disservice.
The Royal Dilemma is an entertaining film. It has a strong story with twists that land, and it is easy to follow from beginning to end. The performances from Aida and the veteran cast members demonstrate what is possible when experience meets natural talent.
However, as a work of art, it reveals the growing pains of a production that aimed high but fell short in technical execution. The inconsistent sound, generic soundtrack, exaggerated performances, and the unresolved question of tribal identity all prevent it from reaching its full potential. And perhaps the most telling critique is this: the film is called The Royal Dilemma, but the central character is Given. The story revolves around his origin, his flight, and his tragic discovery. A more fitting title would have been simply Given.
Despite its flaws, Royal Dilemma is an enjoyable watch, one that proves that a strong story can carry a film, even when other elements fall short.
Rating: 6/10
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