Historical accuracy be damned, this movie is a powerful experience and a great display of super performances

Rating: 10/10 (16 February 2015)

Whenever I see a movie about a historical figure, certainly one as famous as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., I have two questions a) What new angle is this movie bringing that makes it worth watching in addition to all of the previous footage, documentaries and films we've seen already and b) is the movie good on its own merit, or does the quality of the story reside entirely on the fact that what happened was true, and that history has proved this person to be right in the long run? In the case of "Selma" I am excited to say that not only is the film worth seeing even if you are familiar with the events that are being portrayed on-screen, but the performances and the angle at which the story tackled are so strong and so powerful that it's one of the best movies of 2014. This film is similar to 2012 "Lincoln" in that it's about Martin Luther King, Jr., but it's not about his entire life, it's about the events that developed in the small town of Selma, Alabama around the 1965 Selma to Montgomery voting rights marches.
I suppose I should begin by saying that this is a movie that anyone can watch and enjoy. Even if you're white (like myself) you're not going to be offended, you're not going to feel guilty about the racism being displayed in 1965. Not unless you're racist and you've done similar things to others, at which point either I commend you for being brave enough to see a movie that will hopefully change your views, or you're not even watching this film because you're a fool with Cro-Magnon era beliefs. The reason you will not feel guilty watching this picture is because you are intelligent enough to see past the color of people's skin; you are going to be putting yourself in the shoes of the protesters, not of the racists who attack them. It's a powerful emotional experience, that is often troubling, but it's meant to be. You will feel upset, but it's the good kind of upset. It's the type of emotion that you are glad to have felt because it enriches your life and makes you understand your fellow man better.
My understanding is that, like every movie that's "based on a true story" they take some liberties to make the film more coherent and dramatic, particularly during the moments between King and then-President Lyndon B. Johnson. I didn't care, and you shouldn't care because you shouldn't be basing your history reports (or book reports for that matter) on films. If you want the facts, you go to the library. If you want to be entertained, go watch the movie.
Within "Selma" are some powerful and scathing reviews of the politicians at the time. The people in power at Selma, most notably Alabama Governor George Wallace (Tim Roth) are very satisfyingly exposed for the brutish trilobites that they were. Are the portrayals exaggerated? I don't feel like they were (Except as I mentioned before when it comes to the President). The facts are that crimes against African-Americans were being committed and that no one was doing anything about it until the people who were being oppressed rose up. Even then they were met with senseless opposition from devils who hated them solely because of the color of their skin. I found myself feeling white-hot hatred towards the spineless, dust-brained sons of jackals who dared to stand up against people simply trying to exercise their rights as ordinary citizens. Fortunately for me, and for those that were being oppressed, we are having the last laugh by seeing this film. History will remember them for what they are, and their legacies will only be one of hatred. Their names have become a curse to be thrown at the lowest of bottom-feeders and the most ignorant half-wits that barely qualify as "living". In that sense, I have gotten my revenge against them and boy am I glad.
I love watching a movie with powerful emotions because it makes me feel alive. It's the opposite of watching something as awful as "The Boy Next Door", which made me want to cease existing out of embarrassment for the human race. This is a movie that makes you feel. It will shock you, it will make you feel sad and angry, but it also makes you feel empowered. I left the theater invigorated, ready to take on the injustices of the world and determined to do something with my freedom to give the rest of humanity the same joys that I experience and take for granted every day. A big portion of the power of this piece is due to the transcendent performances on display. David Oyelowo as King is particularly powerful and nearly out shadows everyone else involved. It's the kind of powerhouse display of acting that knocks you off your feet it's so good, because it feels so genuine. I want to stress that this movie would have been good solely because of the subject matter, but it's the performances and the tangible dedication of Tom Wilkinson, Tim Roth, Keith Stanfield, Lorraine Toussaint and everyone else involved. There is not a moment where the film feels artificial or false, and for that I give praise to director Ava DuVernay.
I can't think of anyone that shouldn't see this movie. Even if you extensively researched the events portrayed in the film and wrote a book about them, I think there are some things here that would powerfully resonate with you (you'll have to forgive the exaggerated events and character though). "Selma" is easily one of the best movies of the year, and it still would be if it was just David Oyelowo playing Martin Luther King, Jr. ordering a slice of pie at a diner. He is that good. (Theatrical version on the big screen, February 3, 2015)