Selma Review

     I was born in a time were racism was only a fraction of what it once was in America. Now-a-days you are considered a son of a b*tch if you are racist in any way. During the early 1960s, it was normal in many parts of this country to hate a person because of the color of their skin. The institution of segregation and Jim Crow laws made life difficult and dangerous for any non white during the mid 20th century in America. There were many who opposed those laws, but only a few were truly successful; but of those who were, none did more to help the cause than Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. An advocate for nonviolent civil disobedience, MLK gained a huge following and organized dozens of mass protests to show opposition towards the way African Americans were treated in the United States. Despite his early demise, he managed to make more of a difference towards the betterment of our society than almost anyone in American history. So when you decide to make a movie about one of his most important acts of protest, it better be a damn good movie. Fortunately, that's exactly what "Selma" is.

     Taking place in 1964 and 1965, "Selma" picks up where Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. wins the Nobel Peace Prize. Shortly afterwards, it shows him in Washington D.C. as he talks to the president in an attempts to make that all blacks are given the opportunity to vote, especially in the south. After the president says there is no radical and immediate solution to the problem, MLK and his group decide to travel to Selma, Alabama to protest. After encountering opposition from the country sheriff and the state governor, MLK plans a march from Selma to the state capital Montgomery; but MLK has to make a choice. March and face potential death for him and all the other marchers, or live to fight another day. 

     Since the first review came out, there has been nothing but positive buzz about this movie; and after watching it I can see why. "Selma" is one of the best movies on race relations in America we've seen in years. It highlights a dark time in American history that often gets overlooked. It shows the time for what it was, sad. Like I said in my review of "The Imitation Game," in movies like this the entire film follows upon the shoulders of the lead actor. David Oyelowo is a British actor I had never heard of before this movie, but after seeing it I will make sure to remember that name. He gives a powerful performance as Dr. King, one of the best we've seen in a 2014 movie. He will almost certainly be nominated for best actor, and I would not be overly surprised if won. He manages to bring justice to Dr. King in his portrayal. Oyelowo is not alone though, every other actor and actress does a great job. It is often the job of the director to pull great performances from the actors, and director Ava DuVernay manages to do that. She does an absolutely fantastic job as the film’s director, and I really hope she gets nominated for best director. "Selma" also features a great and well written script; it has several incredibly emotional scenes that had people crying in the theater. One thing that I appreciate is that the movie doesn't only paint MLK as a saint all the time; so many movies like this portray the real life figure in a way where they can do no wrong. "Selma" points our MLK's flaws, both with his personal life as well as the failures he suffered fighting for civil rights. It does what a biographical drama should do, it shows why they're important but they are still human. "Selma" is great, there's no other way to put it. Despite being slow at times and being about 10-15 minutes longer than needed, it is great. The movie was only recently released in my area, but had a limited release back in December; making it a 2014 movie; if I had seen this back in December, it certainly would have been somewhere on my list of the 10 best films of the year. This is an important movie, a movie that everyone should see. If "Selma" is playing anywhere near you, it is a must watch; I can't recommend you enough.

Pros: Oscar worthy performance from David Oyelowo, fantastic directing by Ava DuVernay, very emotional, well written script, several great performances, great representation of MLK, points out MLK's successes and failures, fitting soundtrack.

Cons: Slow at parts, a little longer than necessary.

4.5/5 Stars