Selma, a Flashback to a Landmark for Equal Rights (Film Review)

SELMA poster

 

Bold, poignant and triumphant, the movie Selma shows the determination of a leader who guides his devoted followers to equal rights. Not just for them, but all races who have been denied the right to choose the leader of this country. Teeming with a core of fine actors under the direction of Ava DuVernay, the film gives insight into Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s valiant campaign and the shock that brought a country to its knees.

The true story focuses on Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. (David Oyelowo) during a period in American History where voting rights were being denied by various methods to black Americans mainly in the South. In Alabama voting registration was almost impossible deceiving black Americans with trick questions and refusing to put their names on the roles. Together with his close supporters King sets out on a third attempt to march from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama to protest against inequality. To get their however he has to cross the Edmund Pettus Bridge where a number of armed law officers are waiting to stop them. This attempt became a landmark in American History.

Background left to right: Tessa Thompson plays Diane Nash, Omar Dorsey plays James Orange, Colman Domingo plays Ralph Abernathy, David Oyelowo plays Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., André Holland plays Andrew Young, Corey Reynolds plays Rev. C.T. Vivian, and Lorraine Toussaint plays Amelia Boynton in SELMA

Background left to right: Tessa Thompson plays Diane Nash, Omar Dorsey plays James Orange, Colman Domingo plays Ralph Abernathy, David Oyelowo plays Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., André Holland plays Andrew Young, Corey Reynolds plays Rev. C.T. Vivian, and Lorraine Toussaint plays Amelia Boynton in SELMA

The movie holds nothing back showing an opening explosion of the church in Birmingham to the face off against Gov. George Wallace (Tim Roth) in Alabama. Director Ava DuVernay lays it all out from secret meetings, confrontations with President Lyndon Johnson and the FBI’s involvement. Her scenes of violence during the first attempt to march to Montgomery are very explicit showing the brutality laid on the marchers protesting against the fatal shooting of activist Jimmy Lee Jackson. The incident that sent over 50 people to hospitals received nationwide publicity and initiated the backing by both black and white to march arm-in-arm toward Montgomery. attempt. Her cameras delivers the message of anti-discrimination loud and clear and rightly so.

David Oyelowo as Martin Luther King Jr in SELMA

David Oyelowo as Martin Luther King Jr in SELMA

The portrayal of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. by David Oyelowo is uncanny as the actor resembles the historical civil rights leader so much. His gestures, posture and line delivery are flawless in all scenes and makes the film memorable. His role as Louis Gaines in Lee Daniels’ The Butler was a breakout performance and his lead here has afforded him a nomination for a Golden Globe.

The cinematography in Selma provides a tension building feel to the film. Combined with period costumes, automobiles and props the film takes you back to the mid-1960’s where it all happened. Filmed in some segments as if you are there when the State Police attack the marchers on their first attempt to walk to the capital of Alabama in Birmingham, it’s like watching a newsreel from the past. Very shocking and heartrending the inhumanity to man shows an embarrassing look at how far one State would go to allow segregation and discrimination.

As a good companion piece checkout the documentary “Selma Historic Bridge, Selma Alabama” a television episode that aired in 2013 along with the most current trailer for the film Selma contained in this article.

Selma has been rated PG-13 for disturbing thematic material including violence, a suggestive moment, and brief strong language. The film gets released during the 50th anniversary of the events that took place in Selma, Alabama in 1965. A tip of the hat to director Ava DuVernay and producers Oprah Winfrey (also for her acting), Christian Colson, DeDe Gardner, and Jeremy Kleiner for binging the film to the screen.

FINAL ANALYSIS: An emotional film that’s well acted and directed. (B+)

Additional Film Information:
Cast: David Oyelowo, Tom Wilkinson, Carmen Ejogo, Giovanni Ribisi, Lorraine Toussaint, Common, Alessandro Nivola, Cuba Gooding Jr., with Tim Roth and Oprah Winfrey
Directed by: Ava DuVernay
Genre: Historical Drama, Biography
MPAA Rating:  PG-13 for disturbing thematic material including violence, a suggestive moment, and brief strong language
Running Time: 2 hrs 7 min
Release Date: January 9, 2015
Distributed by: Paramount Pictures

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