Don't know what to grade...

Rating: Null/10 (8 January 2015)

So, this is a weird case, especially after seeing such a typical, Oscar-type period biographical film. Much of the film really plays like a history lesson. In that case, I can see why it's gotten such unanimous acclaim, but I'm really surprised it got so many standing ovations. I'm not sure how audiences will react to it as a whole. It's sort of subdued for its subject matter ands what one would expect, at times I could even see many finding it sort of dull (I did a few times, mostly in the beginning). It could also be considered sort of "dry", but I appreciated that it really didn't force its sentiment really. But it's also more admirable. As a whole, a lot less showy than last year's 12 Years A Slave, the acting as well. David Oyelowo completely captures Luther King's essence. Very unshowy role though, and I honestly forgot I was watching an actor and just the real thing. That's how natural and subdued a performance it is, and as much as I liked him, it's also sort of a hard one to really love. It will be interesting to see how the AMPAS takes to him. Carmen Ejogo is actually showier and has one big scene, something that Oyelowo never gets. She's fantastic in it, but it doesn't really leave much lasting power
I don't know what to grade the film. I certainly didn't love it, but I appreciated more. It's funny, in comparison to a more typical Oscar film like The Imitation Game, it's still harder to love.