Review: 'Selma' Is A Passionate Glimpse Into The Life Of Martin Luther King, Jr.
Wesley Emblidge ‘17 / Emertainment Monthly Assistant Editor
When we first see King (David Oyelowo), he’s in Norway accepting the 1964 Nobel Peace Prize. He can’t seem to find acceptance in his home, but by traveling overseas, he finds a whole room of white men who present him with an award and applaud his efforts. Back in America, he meets with President Lyndon Johnson (Tom Wilkinson), who supports King but isn’t quite willing to face the diplomatic challenges of what King asks of him. King, his wife Coretta (Carmen Ejogo), and his team (cast with the likes of André Holland, Tessa Thompson, Common and Wendell Pierce) head to Selma, Alabama, where they begin to assemble people to march on Montgomery and protest the challenges involved with voting rights.
Another thing that helps is how good Oyelowo is as one of the most notable public figures in American history. Part of why Oyelowo works so well in the role is because he’s somewhat of an unknown entity to audiences. He’s had bit parts in movies all over the place, from Jack Reacher to The Butler, but unlike in the case of someone like LeVar Burton or Jeffrey Wright (who both previously portrayed King), the audience has no real preconceptions about Oyelowo. He can disappear into the role the way a “movie star” never could. Supporting players often have that exact problem; when people like Martin Sheen, Cuba Gooding Jr., and Oprah Winfrey show up for just a few scenes, it gets a bit distracting.
Overall Grade: B+
‘Casted’ is not correct.