Selma (2014) Review!!

Synopsis – A chronicle of Martin Luther King‘s campaign to secure equal voting rights via an epic march from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama in 1965.

My Take – This film is a powerful cinematic telling of the lesser known chronicle of Martin Luther King Jr.’s campaign as he organizes the infamous marches during the height of the civil rights movement for equal voting rights. The film features Martin Luther King Jr. (David Oyelowo) leading a civil rights march in Selma because he is tired of African Americans being denied the right to vote. On top of this, he and his wife Coretta Scott King (Carmen Ejogo) are having marriage issues. While battling the racist governor of Alabama, George Wallace (Tim Roth) & pressurizing President Lyndon B. Johnson (Tom Wilkinson) into passing the bill in congress. Director Duvernay’s film is not an idealistic portrayal of a humanitarian and his movement but a realistic representation of a man.

The story may not bring out the tears from a sobbing cry of sorrow but will evoke the catching and hurtful ache from the pain of the racial injustice of that generation. We are taken on a long harrowing journey for equality with such reverence and restraint. There are a few minor missteps along the way as the film does lose some of its its footing in reality when it uses famous actors like Oprah Winfrey, Martin Sheen and Dylan Baker, all impersonating real life figures, rather than using lesser known actors for those roles, or when the film tries to connect the non-violent actions of Dr. King and his followers with the recent protests that led to escalating violence. The film manages to avoid being a generic biopic by being a film that is equally about the civil rights march as it is about Martin Luther King. Politics is a major element of the film and King’s speeches, his debates with Lyndon B. Johnson are as important as his personal problems at home. Ava DuVernay directs the powerful story of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. towards the later years in his life, as written in screenplay form by Paul Webb. The man we see is an accomplished and ultimately successful advocate and recognized by the Nobel committee for his efforts in the civil rights movement. His work as a reverend and a leader is far from finished. David Oyelowo, although a tad inconsistent early on, elevated to another level when he transformed before your eyes to a dynamic and vulnerable Dr. Martin Luther King, JR.

Toward the end of the movie, his performance was so strong, if he was not actually shown on the screen, you couldn’t tell if if was an old recording of MLK or David Oyelowo himself.He experiences many emotions, not generally associated with the civil rights activist, including guilt, shame and defeat. Oyelowo does a masterful job of bringing these emotions to light in the most subtle way. As someone who is known for his small supporting roles this is a huge leap forward for Oyelowo. Tim Roth and Tom Wilkinson are also very good in their supporting roles. The movie also features good cameo performances from Martin Sheen, Cuba Gooding Jr, Dylan Baker and Oprah Winfrey. It will be surprising if “Selma” does not elicit an emotional response. A truly effective film will make its audience relate and sympathize, and that is just what the filmmakers of Selma accomplish. On the whole “Selma” is a powerful and emotionally moving film. DuVernay’s direction is truly superb. She manages to create a tension filled atmosphere and deliver two of the film’s best and most brilliantly staged scenes. A wonderful movie that provides an enthralling look at the civil rights movement and the life of Martin Luther King Jr. that is both brilliantly directed and excellently acted. Must Watch!!