Today's world is actually rather terrifying to live in. We see so many acts of racial violence happening in America, specifically in Ferguson after the Michael Brown case as well as the death of Eric Garner, who was wrongly killed in a chokehold by NY police officers. With so much racial tension happening throughout the country, one can not help but think back on the teachings and lessons of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and how he fought to have equal rights for all African-American people during the Civil Rights movement.
It's also why the film Selma could not have come at a more important and relevant time.
Selma depicts the 1965 voting rights marches from Selma, Alabama to the state's capital, Montgomery. The marches acted as a means to protest African-Americans not having the most basic American right: the right to vote. These marches were organized by Dr. Martin Luther King (David Oyelowo), James Bevel (Common), Hosea Williams (Wendell Pierce), and John Lewis (Stephan James). During the preparation of these marches, King must contend with the interference of Alabama governor George Wallace (Tim Roth), members of the Selma Police Department, townspeople of Selma, as well as the hesitation of President Lyndon B. Johnson (Tom Wilkinson).
While it was exciting to finally see a Martin Luther King Jr. film become fully realized on screen, I appreciated more the approach that was taken: showing a key, crucial moment in the Civil Rights movement and depict how Dr. Martin Luther King was involved with that event, rather than show a film depicting his entire life.
The result is one of the most powerful, moving, and inspiring films I have seen in quite a long time.
Everyone involved in this cast brings their absolute A-game in the film. David Oyelowo, in a career making performance, plays Dr. King not as this mythical, amazing figure that most of history seems to make him out to be, but as a man, one with weaknesses and flaws. Dr. King knows that the battle is uphill, and faces uncertainty about how events will proceed, especially with many innocent protesters getting beaten or lynched. His strained relationship with his wife Coretta due to his activities is also a bit of a highlight of the film. It brings Dr. King even more relatable as an individual. Oyelowo gives a powerful performance, capturing the mannerisms and quiet power that Dr. King radiates perfectly.
The supporting cast is excellent as well. Carmen Ejogo is great as Coretta King, portraying that doubt that her husband might be killed, but still faithful to him and his cause regardless. The rest of King's close followers, which includes actors such as Common, Pierce, Ruben Santiago-Hudson, and Oprah Winfrey, to name a few, are all excellent as well.
On the opposite side, the politicians, Tim Roth, as Wallace, is incredibly slimy, making you hate him the moment he walks onto the screen. Shame Roth isn't in as many movies any more, but when he is, he always manages to hold a great presence. Tom Wilkinson, as President Johnson, also does some fine work here, even if some of the facts presented about him may or may not not be entirely historically accurate. As a performance, Wilkinson is excellent, showing the doubt and conflict on whether he should help King or not and the pressure he faces. Whether or not the film is historically accurate or not, regardless, Wilkinson turned in an excellent performance
Director Ava DuVernay puts such great emotional tension into the film, especially in scenes that depict so much racial violence. The film pulls no punches whatsoever in terms of its content, and the result is startling. It's been a very long time since a film made me start to form tears in my eyes, but this one did it. DuVernay not only packs an emotional punch, but a tense one as well, as you are on the edge as to what will happen next. The film is incredibly well shot, as DuVernay makes some of the peaceful protest scenes look absolutely beautiful.
Many real-life parallels with current events will be evidently be made while watching the film, as the moments in protest, such as when all the protestors get down on the ground with their hands behind their head and only Dr. King and his companions are standing. Moments such as this not only raise many parallels with current events, but also raise a question: how would have Dr. King, had he still been alive, responded to the racial violence that is featured in the news today?
Overall, Selma is one of the most powerful, emotional, and important pieces of filmmaking that has come out in a long while. David Oyelowo and director Ava DuVernay give Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. the story that deserves to be told on screen while also coming at a not more relevant time. Every accolade upon the film is well justified and it'll be interesting to see what happens when the Oscar nominations are announced on Thursday.
GRADE: A+
Have you seen Selma? If not, are you looking forward to viewing it? Sound off in the comments below!
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