Selma - A Movie Review

Always stand up for your rights. Never back down without a fight.

Selma is a 2014 film based on true events. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. supports a campaign to secure equal voting rights. In the biggest battle of his life, King leads the town in an epic march from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama in 1965.

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. created a huge impact on the world. Selma portrays his heroic actions. The film portrays brutal depictions of the police and from society who were not open to the idea of equal rights. In Selma, the film demonstrates how we are continuing to fight, but we have made better peace.

David Oyelowo embraces the rich and powerful demeanor of Martin Luther King Jr. He is the highlight. I can tell that he did his research. I was most impressed with the deliveries of his speeches. He was so impactful that on one day of filming the cast and crew applauded him for a job well done. Facing several obstacles, King never backed down without a fight.

One detail that I did not expect from Oyelowo’s performance was the way he showcased King’s insecurities. That’s not something I thought about regarding King’s personality. It added layers. No matter how famous you are, we all have flaws. Screenwriters and director Ava DuVerney did an impeccable job incorporating this subtle detail to the screen.

One of my favorite elements that writers included in the film was the relationship between King and his wife, Loretta Scott King. I wish that King’s children could have been involved more in the story. Oyelowo and Carmen Ejogo did a profound job in their scenes. Although the couple deeply loved one another, King’s fight for equality caused tension.

An ensemble of strong actors joined the cast to elevate the story. Credits to name include Tom Wilkinson, Andre Holland, Tessa Thompson, LaKieth Standfield, Cuba Gooding Jr, Oprah Winfrey, Stephen Root, Common, and many other incredible actors who played real figures from the event. Selma recognizes all who were involved to change history.

I warn you, the film is violent. For one scene that took place on the bridge, I looked away because it was tough to take in. This all happened. Selma is a moving film. It showcases depictions of the horrible riots that were seen across the world. Selma does not hold back from brutal beatings and shootings.

Ava DuVerney did a beautiful job commemorating the life of King. The camera angles were empowering. I will say that the editing could have been better, as the transitions to the next scenes were a little quick. One of my favorite techniques was whenever the camera followed King. DuVerney found ways to connect with audiences.

That being said, I felt that the film was too long. It should have stuck to one scenario instead of following around numerous characters. I understand that DuVerney wanted to recognize all who were involved, but it impacted the message that the film was going for. She managed to keep the film emotionally grounded.

Martin Luther King Jr. played an incredible role in our society. The world is still not a perfect place. We are still working on coming together and making peace. Don’t ever stop the fight. Never be silenced and continue to fight for your rights. Together we shall overcome.

If you have not seen Selma, I recommend that you watch it. It is a serious film, heavily depicting events of history. Take caution as there are brutal images of violence. Recognize Martin Luther King Jr. for his incredible bravery and determination.