Review of Loving (2016) by James R — 04 Jan 2017

Kinda thought I would like this one a bit more, but ultimately I just didn't care too much for it. The film is based on the true story about Mildred (Ruth Negga) and Richard Loving (Joel Edgerton) who in the 50's were married in Washington D.

C., but were arrested and charged in their home of Virginia. The judge gives them an outrageous parole that includes them leaving the state for 25 years. Eventually the two get help from two lawyers named Bernie Cohen (Nick Kroll) and Phil Hirschkop (Jon Bass) who together through the American Civil Liberties Union bring the Loving's case all the way up to the Supreme Court.

Don't get me wrong I absolutely find the story this is based on to be really great and an outstanding moment in American History. The two leads are really great here, but I just found the movie lacking conflict.

This can sound kind of weird because getting jailed for marrying a woman of color would sound like conflict enough, but I never felt too sorry for the couple. This is entirely in the way the movie is directed.

We see very little interaction with anyone else. We never really see the court scenes just the after maths. It could have grasped some of the more dramatic parts better and conveyed a little more emotion for the viewers.

Hell the saddest part of the movie is the epilogue thats written on the screen. I would say wait for this one to come out to rent. It's a worthwhile story regardless that you should at least visit once.