An unfortunately
relevant movie for the current time we live. This movie shows that non violence
can be a force for change and put on more political pressure than reactionary
violence. Is it an absolute travesty that Selma received so few Oscar
nominations, including snubs for Best Director, Best Actor, and Best Supporting
Actress. The portrayal of Martin Luther King by David Oyelowo magnificently showed
Martin Luther King as the magnificent hero we all know as well as the flawed
hero that he was. Martin Luther King is currently held to an impossible standard
of being the perfect non-violent leader following his convictions and never
second guessing his actions. Selma brings Martin down off that high pedestal
and makes him more of a tragic hero than ever. By showing that King had the
same issues and self doubt as you and me, Selma shows that he was better than
all of us by putting those things aside and fighting for his civil liberties. Through
this humanization of MLK, director Ava DuVernay has made Martin more of a
Christ like figure but not so that it is the focal point of the film. It is
more of a side note, with the comparisons being so subtle that many may miss
them. This comparison reminds us that he is human and also suffers from human
sin. One of Martin Luther King's legacy’s biggest detractors is that he was
unfaithful to his wife. The film faces it head on simply acknowledging that he
is a man who makes mistakes and is not perfect. One of the most moving portions
of the film is when Martin Luther King visits the grandfather of an African American
young man who was murdered by police. The emotion he shows and the effect and
the toll it takes on him, in this scene we can see that every African American
death that he may have been the cause of he takes personally. It is only from
comfort and support from his wife and supporters that he continues for his
fight for black equality. This is a must see for the conscientious citizens. 4
out of 4 stars.
