Review: Loving

Ever so slowly, writer and director Jeff Nichols has become a film-maker to look out for.

All the films I have seen from his back catalogue so far managed to be a lot better then I thought they would.

What I like about Nichols' films, is how beautiful it is shot by regular cinematographer Adam Stone and how I manage to really enjoy them the longer I watch them. His style of film-making is the very definition of slow-burners.

With all of his films being very well received by the critics, it is only until his latest release that he has got his first nominations in the major awards.

That award recognition is being given to the two leads, Ruth Negga and Joel Edgerton. I must say that they are getting well deserved plaudits and nominations in the major awards. You believe that they are together and really feel for their struggle within this time period in America.
While Negga got the Oscar nod, for me it is Edgerton that shines the most. It might not be as bigger transformation then his roles in Smokin' Aces, The Great Gatsby. But you definitely felt like you were watching a character and not Joel Edgerton.
One of Nichols' regular cast members who is the always great, is Michael Shannon. He plays a pretty small role in this one. But his short screen-time is highly memorable. Sadly, I do have some criticism for the role played by Nick Kroll and Jon Bass. Their moments together felt so forced with nothing but exposition.

It comes to no surprise, that it only took me until the second half where I was really liking it. While the first half is solid, the levels of emotion felt restrained. I know Nichols likes to do small stories. But I think if it elevated its emotion levels to the right amount, this could have been something special.

This is definitely a movie with an important story that I can see being shown in history classes. While I usually just appreciate films being labelled as important, I can honestly see myself wanting to see this again.
Nichols manages to win me over once again. Negga and Edgerton are terrific together and as the film goes on, you can really gripped with their struggles. Like all of Nichols films, it is looks gorgeous, the score is effective when needed. Whilst giving it high praise, I think the general slowness of it all will struggle to transcend well with mainstream audiences.
But there are fans of slow-burners out there, and this is another great to check out, if not for Negga and Edgerton's chemistry alone.

Rating: 8/10