TAKE A WALK WITH ME

Rating: 10/10 (31 May 2019)

The film opens with Dr. Martin Luther King (David Oyelowo) receiving the Nobel Prize as a church explodes in Alabama. The rest of the film concerns the march from Selma to Montgomery and the work to pass the Voting Rights Act. It looks at the inner conflict of the planners, the trouble in the house of Dr. King, and King's communication with LBJ (Tom Wilkinson).
Oprah settles for a minor role as Annie Lee Cooper after having been denied an Oscar nomination for "The Butler." The film as expected is inspirational and emotional with good performances. The film opens itself to criticism from the left as it shows that President Johnson wanted to wait until 1966 for the Voting Rights Act. However, the view in the film is what is basically reflected in his 1976 biography by Doris Kearns. The movie also has actual FBI notes appear on the screen, in case you think the event didn't happen. I found the appearance of the note interesting historically, but annoying and interfering for viewing the drama.
While the acting was good, I didn't feel like I was watching King, LBJ, or George Wallace (Tim Roth). I don't think that they "nailed it." David Oyelowo reciting the speeches of MLK, while inspirational, failed to project as did Dr. King.
Worth viewing. Historically better than an Oliver Stone film, but not as much fun to watch.
Guide: 2 F-bombs. Audio recording of sex.