Review: Selma

Some people may not know much about the Civil Rights movement in the 1960s, but they will surely know who Martin Luther King is and what he stands for.

It is hard to believe that it is only now that we are seeing a film about Dr. King.
There has been a TV series, but a film release has certainly got people talking.

A powerful opening to the film certainly shows what the directors intentions are. As the film goes on, you certainly see what position America is with the relationships between the white and the blacks in the southern states. You feel the characters pain, and by the end of it you are so overcome with emotion that just want the punch the air, cheer and clap to his extraordinary human that makes one of the most important movements of the 20th century.

Nevertheless, as good and powerful as it as, Selma still has its moments of suddenly slowing things done to a complete stand-still.
I did not mind the slight inaccuracy of historic events. But there were too many slow moments for me, even for a character driven drama such as this one.

However, I have to take my hat off to director Ava DuVernay, who I have never seen any previous material of.
You can tell it was something she felt very passionately about and wanted the whole world to know.

As for the characters, the man that is holding and pushing this film to its high success is David Oyelowo. From the very first scene, you see King in him. He was born to play this American icon. The longer the film went, the more passion that came out of him and you just cannot help yourself but cheer for him.
After all the high octane emotional moments, it was the final scene that really made him blossom as Dr. King. It even got a group of people in the screening that I was in cheering and clapping. The only thing left was the standing ovation, it was that good. That moment alone is certainly worth seeing in what is largely a must-see film in my opinion.

Although he carries the film, there are several other performances that cannot be ignored. Tom Wilkinson's portrayal of President Johnson contributes well, Caremen Ejogo as King's wife has her moments and of course Oprah Winfrey is tenacious as ever and has a great scene-stealing moment in the first half.

Undeniably, Selma will be a significant film, largely because King dominates the entire film. Oyelowo delivers, and then some. I had no idea he was British. He certainly fooled me with his American accent. Oyelowo depicts his characters passion for equal rights so well and can easily cope with carrying the film on his more than capable shoulders.
There are some tough to watch moments of chilling scenes. That is when the director is at her best and points are hammered home.
The thing that will make Selma memorable is the amazingly accurate moments at the actual locations, particularly the Edmund Pettus Bridge.
Sadly, there are too many slow moments for me and that will stop me giving this film an exceptional rating. The style of film-making also may not be anything exceptional, but the performances and passionate directing certainly gives this film deserved credit. This a film that America should be proud of as it shows how far they have come and how further they can go.
I can definitely see this being used in many History classes for years to come.

Rating: 8/10