Review of Selma (2014) by Dave P — 09 Feb 2015

History is a storytellers medium, burdened with so many perspectives as to make accuracy a fools errand. Dates and facts are undeniable but digging deeper so that we may learn lessons from our past to shape our future - that takes some doing. When the history in question is so unnervingly recent and uses an icon to centre it's story, comparisons abound with the stock footage that exists and the accounts of those who lived these events living still.

Selma avoids the trap of the "cradle-to-grave" biopic genre and instead plays out as a piece of historical drama - focusing it's attention on one chapter in the life of the civil rights leader, Martin Luther King Jr.

For the most part it is successful in it's aims to show the essence of the man and the movement. Indeed, the film's biggest strength, are the moments when David Oyelowo is permitted to channel the great Doctor's soaring oratory and command you to attention and action - a performance so magnetic it practically pulls you into the screen in these moments of rousing political heroism.

However, to draw a comparison I look to Spielberg's take on Lincoln. Here too is a film that offers up the story of a near-mythological figure through a microcosm. Anchored by a stellar central performance but failing to maintain interest consistently. There are lots of flat conversations in dusty rooms populated by dusty men. Selma does have the booming preachers voice that would drown out the folksy yarns of Mr Lincoln, so for that we can be grateful, but there are several scenes here which slow down proceedings somewhat.

That being said, the scenes of non-violent protest meeting violent subjugation are handled extremely well and it would take a stone heart not to be incensed or distressed in equal measure. The supporting cast too offer up a real weight to an important story.

Make no mistake though, this film lives and dies with Oyelowo's Dr King - a flawed but fearless giant of a man explored here with care and craft. And, digging just deep enough to beg the question "why haven't we come further?".