Review of Selma (2014) by Phil P — 12 Feb 2015

"Glory, glory, glory!".

Over the past couple of years or so there's been a seemingly boom in film about the struggles of 'African Americans'. Delivering films like the great 'The Butler' and the masterpiece '12 Years a Slave'. It seems odd that they all come at the same time but, hey, when most if not all are great who's complaining?. And indeed for someone like me who has little knowledge of these situations and can't really understand that this type of oppression exists - they're all vital to my learning.

'Selma' chronicles 3 months of 'Martin Luther King Jr.' and his group pushing for voting rights and through the town of Selma, 1965. It's not so much about the man himself but rather the continuation of the civil rights movement that was passed - but this time it's not about the broad problem but more about voting specifically. It makes the story far more focused and thanks to the tight cast the characterisation is top notch. Naturally 'Dr.King' gets most of the screen-time and thanks to a fantastic performance from 'David Oyelowo' he's always a welcome presence.

It's a simplistic short film with straight up camera movements and no stylish bullshit as it should be. The story, the movement and looks at the banding together of not just African Americans but White Americans is at the centre here - and it shines through. As far as accuracy goes the constant arguing about such things is of none interest me. The core thing here is, is it telling the spirit the message that the movement and 'Mr.King' were about? and the answer is yes, so some embellishment - be it Lyndon's arguments apparently being false doesn't matter so much.

There's a look into the inner circle's view points on the issues, Dr.King's wife - everything gets the right amount of time - and packed with powerful scenes of brutality that also won't prevent those of younger age learning of the problem.

'Selma' Is a nicely framed and simply shot film. it know what it wants to tell and it does it very well. Focusing on one particular part of the movement and 3 months of Dr.King's life as oppose to the whole of either or both. From his acceptance of the Nobel peace prize to the march to Washington D.C the intimate knowledge of the limited time helps us get to know the characters more. Even the lesser side characters have a voice in some capacity. And even though the rights of African Americans have been getting better the films knows that there is some way still to go.