Starring: David Oyelowo, Carmen Ejogo, Tom Wilkinson
Directed by: Ava DuVernayScreenplay: Paul Webb
128 minutes Rated M
It is fifty years since Martin Luther King led a momentous
march from Selma to Montgomery Alabama which made a significant impact on the
American people and their leaders and was a pivotal, influential moment in the
Civil Rights Movement and American history. In 1965 in Australia Charlie
Perkins led many people on the Freedom Right to alert his fellow Australians to
search for decency and dignity in the way our First Australians were treated.
It is fitting then that this anniversary brings us a film to
recount such a historic moment, to remind those of us who were alive at the
time, maybe fill in the blanks or give us (particularly in Australia in the
days before the internet or twitter where we were given ‘news’ on international
matters which may not have been anywhere near the full story) a few ‘I didn’t
know that’ moments. Of course for those of us not around at the time it’s also
a good history lesson of a story not known or fully understood. Not to mention that events such as Ferguson
today give us cause to reflect on whether many achievements end up being more
surface than substance.
The movie opens with a shocking slow motion recreation of
the 1963 Alabama church bombing that killed four African-American schoolgirls.
The slow-mo was a bit twee but the scene certainly carried a punch. But the
scene sets us up for the film to follow.
In Selma, the
director Ava DuVernay tells the story of Dr Martin Luther King's battle to pass
the 1965 Voting Rights Act. In the role of King we are treated to a stunning
performance by David Oyelowo who convincingly captures that distinctive speech
pattern but also his spirit, gravitas and moral authority. It is interesting to
ponder of how young Dr King was and yet seemed to have such an ‘older’ air
about him. This comes through in the film as some of the younger characters who
seem a bit bemused by his (passive) tactics while others are in awe. It could
probably have afforded to be a little more critical of the man, he had flaws
afterall (his marriage infidelities hinted at briefly), but seriously this is
an exceptional performance.
It’s interesting
to see four of the leads (and a few smaller roles) are in the capable hands of
Brits – David Oyelowo (King), Carmen Ejogo (Coretta King), Tom Wilkinson (LBJ)
and Tim Roth (splendidly horrid George Wallace). Perfect actors all but I
wonder how all those unemployed and equally competent American actors feel.
As Coretta, Carmen
Ejogo gives a winning, sharp and moving performance. This stoic and faithful
woman inspired many in the years following her husband’s death and Carmen’s performance
gives us real insight into where that figure was being formed and why that was.
Fire and fury,
passion and conviction (ish) underline Tom Wilkinson’s performance as President
Johnson. There is much tut tutting about how LBJ is represented in the movie,
insiders say there was no ‘arguing’ between King and LBJ – that they were more
than restrained and civil with each other and that LBJ had a great respect for
King’s arguments but not necessarily high regard for the man. King’s
autobiography doesn’t indicate any confrontational tone but does acknowledge Dr
King was unhappy that the President had ‘other priorities’ or significant
barriers from the South and he started the Selma campaign despite Johnson’s cold feet. It looks to
me that the words are fairly accurate in the dialogue with some dramatic effect
added to give color to the film. Every film has to have a villain, even if it’s
a de facto one and LBJ serves that purpose here so drama has to have a home.
You might argue Wallace, Hoover and the Cops would have done the job just as
well but there is more of a pivot having the villainy in the White House I
think. And as the film progresses there is redemption and a change to a softer
more ‘agreeable’ President as the pay off for his intransigence.
There is real
verve and evident passion in this movie that carries the story and the drama
along with the right degree of tension and apprehension (especially if you know
the horrors coming). This could have been merely a didactic, preachy and button
pressing film constantly asking ‘how could this happen’. Instead it is a tight
story about the struggle, the moment when a leader is required to ‘step up’ and
maybe ponder on where our passions for ideals have gone – would Selma happen
today?
Whilst dramatic
and sometimes mawkish (every marcher is hit not just with a truncheon but a
bass beat on the soundtrack) Selma is also ultimately upbeat and heart lifting
as a celebration of what was achieved and the civil rights movement. A
documentary might have been more even handed, possibly even more subtle which
might have meant less passion and intensity (even heart) but this movie suited
me just fine.
The placing of
that excellent part rap, part anthem song ‘Glory’ under the credits was a
perfect end piece to a slightly flawed but mostly superb movie.
I look forward
to a similar movie about Perkins and the Freedom Riders one day.
4 out of 5
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