Truly Dreadful Film

Boring

Excellent and certainly provocative... If nothing else, the film is a real conversation starter.

The tone of this movie is interesting -- the stakes are both dramatic and high, but it's balanced with a lot of fun, tongue and cheek dialogue.

The metaphorical march to justice is a slow one; but a significant step was taken on an actual march, from Selma to Montgomery in Alabama in 1965, when a public protest triggered action that finally allowed black Americans to vote, after many years in which they had been prevented from doing so. You could hardly go wrong in telling this story, a microcosm of the broader civil rights campaign: in this drama, you have many of the major figures in the wider battle: George Wallace, Malcolm X, Lyndon B. Johnson, and of course, the charismatic Martin Luther King, who naturally takes centre stage in this movie. He's quite well brought to life by David Olelowo, who certainly looks the part and acts it convincingly (though the film mostly elides his private life). Tom Wilkinson is slightly less successful as Johnson, a more generic politician than the larger-than-life figure who emerges from Robert Caro's biography. Even though the narrative is straightforward: a fierce and violent struggle, then the good guys win, there's still something very moving when the story reaches its conclusion. But in the age of 'Black Lives Matter' and the presidency of Donald Trump, maybe also shocking at how much still needs to be done.

Only reason I gave it 9 rather than 10 was that the filmography didn't allow ANY boring bits where you could pee or refresh your glass. Actually I give it a 10, should have been quicker on the pause between speech. Reminds me of all the civil rights movies I love Like "Fried green tomatoes, (at the Whistle stop cafe," and The help. I only cry out of anger and frustration, (it is my fight or flee response), This one did not disappoint, and I'm not a weepy person. (also checkout Leon,the bit giving the plant roots WILL BREAK YOU). Ash x x x

Powerful, emotional depiction of a landmark moment in civil rights history.Alabama, 1965. While black citizens of Alabama constitutionally have the same voting rights as whites, they are hamstrung by racist local registration officers, politicians and lawmen. Dr Martin Luther King and his followers go to Selma, Alabama to attempt to achieve, through non-violent protest, equal voting rights and abilities for black people.A great telling of a great moment in history. Interesting from an historic perspective and powerfully and emotionally told.Great performances help too. David Oyelowo is superb as Martin Luther King. Excellent supporting performances too, especially from Tom Wilkinson (as President Johnson) and Tim Roth (as Governor George Wallace). How this movie wasn't nominated for any acting Oscars, I do not know.

I was not impressed with Selma overall. I honestly expected a bit more from the film and instead ended up watching every other Martin Luther King movie ever. Now this movie does have a few things going for it An amazing soundtrack- One that really goes with the impact of the story A few deep and emotionally gripping scenes. Yes there really powerful in many ways. However we have seen these emotional scenes before and for a Oscar caliber movie it didn't bring anything new in the way 12 Years a Slave did. it kinda just felt like the Oscars wanted a 'black lead' film to be in the running so they said....Selma.. there happy. But I am not happy and really don't think this is a Oscar caliber film at all. I never got into the actor playing MLK. David Oyelwow just didn't capture me. I also think Ava needs more time to become a better director and don't get some first time writer in the chair as well, because it did not go all that great as far the story was concerned. There are just other movies that do Martin more justice-Our friend, Martin - Bringing King to ChinaThis film also had many chances to go deeper and darker with Martin Luther King, but instead it runs away and tries to play it all safe. Overall there is some good here, and if this is your kids first look at Martin Luther King then hey let him watch it, but I have seen too many Martin Luther King documentaries and movies and this just doesn't do it for me.