Today we present to you two takes on the film “Selma”. Let’s start with a review from Sasha Glenn, and then round it out with Don Guillory’s thoughts.
Set in 1965, the film follows the voting rights marches from Selma to Montgomery. During the time Black citizens had the legal right to vote, but there were countless strategies put into place to stop them from actually being able to use those voting rights.
The film does a good job of providing back story of what was happening that brought on the marches. It portrays the horrific brutality of a time when blatant hatred ripped through the soul of the nation.
During the Selma march, peaceful protestors dressed in their Sunday’s best were beaten (even killed) by local police. However, even the most hard to watch moments of violence were toned down in comparison to actual footage from the Selma march.
The visceral moments of raw emotion and terrible violence will give the audience chills
Martin Luther King, Jr. (David Oyelowo) would of course be a hard pair of shoes to fill as an actor. But somehow Oyelowo pulls it off with a passion that shows in his eyes. Even the ways in which Oyelowo delivers his speeches were powerful and moving, much in the way of the real MLK, Jr.
An intriguing part of the film is the attention given to MLK, Jr.’s wife, Coretta Scott King (Carmen Ejogo). She is a less talked about figure in history, but perhaps this will now change. She is shown to be a very strong and intelligent woman, who serves as the backbone to the King family. Her role as wife, mother, and political supporter are highlighted.
The cast selection is top notch, making the film very realistic.
Tom Wilkinson, who plays Lyndon B. Johnson, practically resurrects the late President. His physical appearance and vocals make the actor almost indistinguishable from the real LBJ. .
However, there is some controversy over the historical accuracy of certain aspects of the film. This especially is true in regards to the portrayal of LBJ.
He is portrayed as under pressure to pass legislation in favor of Black voters, but he himself comes off as a racist whose heart is not in the cause. This portrayal paints a picture of a dishonest man, wielding political power to save face. It is contradicting to the more well-known image of the LBJ who actually cared very much about civil rights and poverty.
The Voting Rights Act of 1965 is thought to be his most important piece of legislative work. It was certainly not just a mere political reaction to protestors, though they surely had a strong impact on making it happen.
No one can deny the power of MLK, Jr.’s work. It is a profound historical example of the possibility for political transformation through the will of the people.
Another point of question is whether or not it was JFK or LBJ who originally ordered the FBI surveillance of MLK, Jr. and those associated with him.
A slightly troubling aspect of the film is that it lacks showing any tinge of gender inequality, which was a pervasive part of that era. Also, it was hinted at that MLK, Jr. had infidelity issues. Personally, I had some question as to whether or not this was true, or if it was even a useful piece of information to include. Perhaps it was included to show a more human side to MLK, Jr.
All of these questions aside, “Selma” is an amazing and moving piece of work.
A finely crafted cinematic reflection of a deep and painful scar on American history, I give “Selma” 4.5 out of 5 stars.
Review by Don Guillory
Selma is the account of the three months in which the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) sought to secure equal voting rights for African Americans despite violent opposition throughout the South. The film demonstrates the struggle that Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and other Civil Rights Leaders faced in their fight to gain support for the Voting Rights act of 1965. The audience is thrust into the most turbulent period of the Civil Rights movement and are able to see the inner workings of the movement, the heartache, the interaction between key figures and family as they struggle with the movement and their ability to stay committed to its overall ideals.
Throughout the film, the moviegoers will get a sense of what the days and nights were like for many of the leaders, politicians, and everyday citizens who participated in the protests and marches in order to gain recognition and full citizenship. The film’s strongest point may be its relevance relating to recent events regarding voting rights and access to voting. This film may spark a renewed interest in this topic and have people appreciate the history of this movement. The film is a powerful reenactment of the historical events and will serve to ensure that the memories of many of the individuals is not forgotten. The film, at times, is slow in its approach to some of the ideas surrounding the main focus and relies on the audience having a good basis of prior knowledge with respect to the Civil Rights movement and American History. Additionally, the film allows for audiences who are not familiar with Dr. King and the Selma march to see exactly how brutal the movement was and that the Civil Rights march was not simply passive resistance. This is a film that comes out at a time to remind people of the sacrifices made by past generations and the need to keep the reminder of those sacrifices alive.
The performances throughout the film are generally strong, but it is the story that seems to carry the film. David Oyelowo’s portrayal of MLK is a daunting task in that he must take on an icon and American hero. It takes a while for him to be believable as King, but 2/3 of the way through the movie, he absorbs not only the role, but the persona, and becomes a part of the movie and not a distraction. This hopefully was done by design in that the movie was not about King. It was about the assembly of people in that town and throughout the nation responding to injustice trying to take a stand.
4/5
