Review of Selma (2014) by Adpirtle — 14 Feb 2015
Efficiently and unflinchingly directed by Ava DuVernay, "Selma" retells one of the Civil Rights Movement's most pivotal moments without glossing over the conflicts within the movement or the brutality pitted against it.
British actor David Oyelowo delivers a powerful performance as Martin Luther King, Jr., one that should have certainly netted him an Oscar nod, regardless of the packed field, but he doesn't have to carry this film.
Fellow Brit Tom Wilkinson does a great job with his role as a politically harried Lyndon Johnson, torn between personal empathy and political expedience. There has been some handwringing over the accuracy of the film's portrayal of LBJ's relationship with MLK, but I found the film to be more historically accurate than the claims of some of the late president's defenders.
Carmen Ejogo wonderfully reprises the role of Coretta Scott King, which she first took up with the late activist's blessing in 2001's TV movie, "Boycott." Other big names pepper the cast (Oprah Winfrey, Tim Roth, Martin Sheen, Cuba Gooding, Jr.
), but it's these three performances which are most memorable.
This review of Selma (2014) was written by Adpirtle on 14 Feb 2015.
Selma has generally received very positive reviews.
Was this review helpful?
