Review of Loving (2016) by Ian G — 19 Feb 2017

An unexpected for lack of a better word blip on the awards circuit due to the accolades Ruth Negga has been receiving for her performance, Loving focuses on the Loving family shortly after their pregnancy and their decision to get married in the state of Virginia during the Civil rights movement and before the interracial marriage laws were ratified in a favorable light which caused a lot of issues including protracted jail terms unless they were to relocate to another state.

Being directed by Jeff Nichols who also did Mud and Take Shelter, Loving is a quieter film that actually focuses on the couple themselves and the impact the charges have on them specifically as well as the strategy towards the court case at the federal level as opposed to the traditional route which usually includes a lot of time in the courtroom specifically along with huge speeches etc.

Joel Edgerton puts in a great performance in addition to Ruth, as a mixed racial child who is a little slower on the uptake but with the heart of gold and both of them approach their performances very respectfully as a family who just wants a peaceful coexistence as long as they stay out of the way as any one would.

Not sure if it will cause any upsets on Oscar night itself, but is decent counter programming for sure. Also acts as quite a big jump for Negga, from Agents of Shield in a supporting category for a season to a lead in Preacher now to her first Oscar nomination.

Will be interesting to see where it goes from here.