The Trailer:
Director: Ava DuVernay
Cast: David Oyelowo, Carmen Ejogo, & Tom Wilkinson
Plot Summary: A film that chronicles Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s (David Oyelowo) efforts to ensure the equal voting rights of black Americans through instigating and carrying out the long march from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama in 1965.
You know how I said Behind the Candelabra was an emotional roller-coaster and left me wanting to cry just thinking about it, well that was before I had seen this poignant film about the brave souls who tirelessly fought for the freedoms we have today. And maybe I'm just over emotional, but whenever I see, or read, something about a group of people who go against all odds and obstacles and put themselves at risk to stand up for what they believe fills me with such pride and overwhelming sadness. Pride because without them, we wouldn't live as freely as we do today. Sadness because I know that many of these marchers didn't live to see the fruits of their labor and that's really unfortunate.
The film starts with tragedy: a bombing at a church in Birmingham, Alabama which killed four young girls. That's the moment we realize that we are watching a film that isn't afraid to get up close and personal to the ugliness of the blatant racism during the Civil Rights era. And I was in tears. Selma does an amazing job at showcasing the horrors and cruelties of the racism that ran rampant in the south while also displaying the resilience of the people who were affected by it. I was impressed by the cinematography that, while not in the style of films made in the sixties, is suggestive of that time period. There is an overall warm tone to the visuals that is reminiscent of old photos and film taken during the sixties. At times the film also feels like a documentary as there is unsteady camera work, nothing distracting but enough to magnify the fact that we are watching a reenactment of real events. Since Selma is about such a tragic era in American history, there are plenty of scenes that are almost too hard to watch, namely the scene on the bridge when the marchers are attacked with various means of abuse. But with every horrid scene, there are good scenes as well. Every moment when David Oyelowo, acting as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., gives his sermons or speeches calling people to action, every moment of small victories, the moment when people from all over the U.S. came to march in solidarity with Dr. King, all these moments are beautiful and make watching all the horrors of the film worth it. And it's worth it because we aren't only subjected to the nasty face of the opposition of the Civil Rights Movement, we are shown the unwavering courageousness of the movement as well. Also, can I mention the soundtrack? It is fantastically fitting. Every song elevated every moment it was the background for, especially all the moving gospel songs. Each song creates an air of powerful perseverance that the people of the Movement aptly portrays.
The acting is phenomenal through and through. David Oyelowo portrays Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. so convincingly and with such dedication. Any time he spoke, it was like listening to recordings of Dr. King. He captured Dr.King's mannerisms and his effective speech-giving and his quiet, strong demeanor. And despite not looking all that much Dr. King, he did an amazing job. Carmen Ejogo as Coretta Scott King is fantastic as well, though she doesn't make too many appearances throughout the film. She embodies a woman who fears for her and her husbands life, but stands tall with him as he ventures out into danger. Through her character we are shown how Dr. King's protests and commitment to the Civil Rights Movement affected his family life, the rifts that it created between him and his wife. Tom Wilkinson as Lyndon B. Johnson, again only a small part, but done so well that it's easy to see him as a president, he has that politicians disposition. And the supporting cast is absolutely amazing as well. There are so many to name, but everyone went above and beyond to portray their characters and I was immensely impressed. And I just have to mention Tim Roth's impeccable accent ability, his southern accent being amazing in this film.
While I do feel like some details may have been glossed over and/or completely removed from the film, I praise every person who helped in the making of this film and even more I applaud the people whom this film is based on. I do wish that maybe I had been more educated about this particular march before watching the film, and it's something I suggest you do, though you don't have to. Upon the end I was filled with so much joy and pride and astonishment at the sheer bravery of these heroes who fought and won a tumultuous battle. Would I watch it again? Hell yes!!
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