Typical Spielberg, But Why So Neglected?

Rating: 8/10 (11 November 2005)

When you say Spielberg people always think of Schindler, Save Private Ryan, ET, whatever. They sometime go back to Duel (still his best movie). Nobody comes up with Amistad. Why? It's a riddle. Amistad is definitely better than Jurassic (well, I admit it's good for kids, but that's all), absolutely better than AI (uggh!). Yet... it's a terribly neglected movie.
Maybe it's not a riddle, anyway. The issue it discusses is deeply embedded in US history. And in the US there are still too many who don't like people with dark skin. People who prefer the blatantly patriotic Save Private Ryan ("Hey! WE won W.W.II, we and Tom Hanks!") to a film which shows divided US, a complex political and legal clash, a complicated trial and (who knows?) too many absolutely black actors (I appreciate Spiel-burg's bold choice to hire African actors, which give the film something more, something special).
Abroad... well, in many countries intellectuals dislike Hollywood kolossals, so they probably didn't see this movie. And people who weren't intellectuals got lost among so many references to US history. Then the film is very long, and you fully grasp all the legal, ethical and political implications of the facts only the 2nd or the 3rd time you watch it.
What a pity! Though I disagree with the final message ("the US may be wrong sometime but then comes uncle Lincoln who solves the problem..."), and find some scenes a bit didactic, I have to say it's a fascinating film with some great moments. And Anthony Hopkins with an American accent as Quincy Adams is something special.