Director: Ava DuVernay
Cast: David Oyelowo, Cuba Gooding Jr., Tim Roth, Giovanni Ribisi, Carmen Ejogo, Alessandro Nivola, Martin Sheen, Tom Wilkinson, Oprah Winfrey, Tessa Thompson, Wendell Pierce, Lorraine Toussaint, Dylan Baker, Common, Keith Stanfield, Jeremy Strong, Andre Holland, Stephan James, Nigel Thatch, Traci Byers, Ruben Santiago, Omar J. Dorsey, E. Roger Mitchell, Coleman Domingo
Rating: A
Selma is a powerful and emotional film that depicts a dark and shameful period of American history but gives hope that with change we can live in a better nation and society. Director by Ava DuVernay (I Will Follow, Middle of Nowhere), brings to light the challenges faced by Martin Luther King Jr. (David Oyelowo) as he fights to push political change and get voting rights for black people. The film is a retelling of an amazing achievement as one man and his followers set out on a quest to create an equal and fair opportunity for African American citizens to vote. Who could have predicted that in 1964 a 50 mile march from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama would lead to a total of three marches that would force into place the Voting-Rights-Act? The Selma to Montgomery march stirred transformation that created a domino effect that has shaped the world we live in today.
The film opens in Oslo, Norway where King is about to receive the noble peace prize. The defining moment for King is overshadow by his desire to convince President Johnson (Tom Wilkinson) that he must focus on giving black people the right to vote and eliminate literacy tests and other obstacles that make it almost impossible for any black citizen to enjoy voting rights. King butts heads with the President throughout the movie and proves that he is just as savvy at negotiating, strategizing and maneuvering through a political jungle of self-serving politicians as the leader of the most powerful country in the world.
Selma carefully covers the dynamics between King, his followers, and those who would oppose him. This is not a film about grand moments of a leader giving crowd pleasing speeches but about quite conversations taking place in hotel rooms, on the phone, on long drives in a car that would guide the civil rights leader down the best path that would lead to one of the biggest changes in American history. There are beautifully done long lingering silent moments showing the conflict between King and his wife Coretta (Carmen Ejogo) as the film touches on infidelity and the toll the movement took on King’s family.
There are many memorable scenes in the film as Selma brings to life the amazing personalities of movers and shakers like Andrew Young (Andre Holland), J. Edgar Hoover (Dylan Baker), Reverend Hosea Williams (Wendell Pierce), George Wallace (Tim Roth), just to name a few. All the actors portraying political forces of the 60s remind of us of the power struggles between people on opposing sides with each trying to accomplish their own agenda.
The moments that make the most impact in Selma are the three marches that take place starting with the first one that consisted of group of about 600 peaceful protesters. This portion of the film could stand on its own as a powerful mini-movie reminding us of the injustices of the times. State troopers on foot and on horseback attack the unarmed demonstrators with clubs, whips, and teargas. The scene goes from color to a teargas white cloud but you can still view the terror as people fighting for their rights are brutally attacked. The brute force of the attack, much to the nation’s horror, is caught on camera and narrated by a reporter giving use an inside look into the savagery of that day. It is the power of the media finally brings to light an issue facing the entire nation. King cleverly uses the media attention to further his cause and ultimately leads thousands on the final march to Montgomery.
Other emotionally charged scenes include the bombing of 16th street Baptist Church, the senseless murder of a young black man, and an unwarranted attack on a white priest. Even the low key moments like activist Annie Lee Cooper (Oprah Winfrey) being turned away from voting registration for a 4th time and King getting punched in the face for no apparent reason will get a rise out of audiences watching.
A special note must be made of David Oyelowo’s portrayal of Martin Luther King. The British actor digs deep to show a conflicted leader with the weight of his cause heavily on his mind. He brings to light King’s flaws and weaknesses which actually make the freedom fighter even more human. In the end, Oyelowo becomes the man who uses his determination to move forward to bring about change. Oyelowo is extraordinary and will make the hairs on your arm stand up as he recreates the speeches that will make you shout and clap as though you were present in 1964. This unknown actor was perfectly cast in the role that he will now be famous for.
Selma is a compelling insightful film that will even have history buffs sitting on the edge of their seats. The film captures the intensity of the cultural and racial divide that existed in the 60s. This is one of those films that will provide food for thought and cause us to reflect back on the struggles, courage and perseverance of people brave enough to stand up for change to create a free and just place for all to co-exist.
