Selma Review

Selma Review

Selma is the film focusing on the three civil rights marches between Selma and Montgomery that took place in 1965 these marches were lead by the infamous Martin Luther King.

Selma is he first major motion picture to focus on Martin Luther King however there is a reason the film is called Selma. This is because most of the films focus is not only on MLK but on everyone involved in the civil rights movement it focuses on their struggle to achieve change yet also to achieve peace. That’s why Selma is such a powerful film it shows us this group of people who go through the absolute worst those in power throw at them yet through all of it these people stay strong. It’s inspiring in its portrayal of the struggles but ultimate triumph of peaceful campaigning. Ava DuVernay has to be praised for the way that her skillful direction manages this throughout the film she focuses the films attention on different people (all based on real life figures) these people aren’t really given names and they aren’t in the film for more than a few minutes at a time yet we start to recognize their faces when they aren’t the focus of the scene and at the end as we watch the final big march and see all of these people for the final time we truly realize how when people come together great things can be accomplished as previously mentioned there is a reason the film is called Selma. That being said David Oyelowo’s performance as Martin Luther King is exceptional. In one of the strongest scenes of the film his is delivering a speech to a crowd and in fact whilst it is not an actual speech of Martin Luther King’s as the rights are held elsewhere. Oyelowo encapsulates King and he delivers the speech with such gusto and skill that it is still inspiring in a cinema seat in Vue Oxford on a Monday evening. The Martin Luther King of the film is very different to how the standard sort of biopic portrayal you may expect . This Luther King is flawed and fascinating we see how even man like King finds his faith tested and is conflicted and impatient yet still strong.

Selma is a powerful film that can occasionally feel a bit slow but the film is often incredible and most importantly attempts to inspire it’s audience which is one of the most important things a film can do. It’s portrayal of Martin Luther King is fascinating look at a flawed and complex man. Ava DuVernay proves herself as a capable director by filling what could be a very standard biopic into a living breathing piece of history, that is angry and has blood running through its veins.

4/5 Stars