'Selma':A Civil rights movie review

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Originally published January 21, 2025

   The movie “Selma” directed by Ava DuVernay, and written by Paul Webb; Is a powerful and poignant portrayal of the 1965 voting rights marches from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama. It emphasizes Dr. King's efforts and sacrifice for civil rights, highlighting achievements and complexities, and struggles of African Americans seeking the right to vote in the face of racism and violent opposition, illustrating Martin Luther King's impact on society. 

   Many of the spectators who watched this empowering movie felt very strongly about it, so they decided to go to Google Reviews to rate, and write about their opinions on the movie. A person named Rosemary, rated the movie five stars, and wrote about how the movie made her feel.

   “This movie was so many things- good things. It was historically accurate, but still interesting. It revealed so much pain and challenges, but still showed so much capacity for love.” But then continued with, ”I cried so many times throughout the movie, and still felt joyous for these people in their victories. But their fight isn't over, and God is with them to this day.”

   David Oyelowo delivers a masterful performance as Dr. King, capturing the moral weight of his leadership and the personal toll the movement took on him. One of the film’s most touching movements comes when King, in a quiet yet powerful scene, says, We will not wait any longer,” a reflection of the mounting urgency and frustration felt by those fighting for their rights. This line is symbolic of the film’s exploration of both the strategy and emotional drive behind the marches, underscoring the sense of impatience for justice.

   The film’s pacing allows for the inclusion of intimate moments, such as the tense discussions among leaders and the harrowing scenes of police brutality that activists faced. The famous “Bloody Sunday” march, depicted with raw intensity, forces the audience to reckon with the harsh realities of racial violence.

   The film’s historical accuracy has been debated, but it remains a vital narrative for modern audiences, illustrating the interconnectedness of political leadership, grassroots activism. And public protest (Pittman, 2015). Critics have praised the film for humanizing figures like Johnson, showing the tension between political reasonableness and moral responsibility (Kennedy, 2015). Furthermore, DuVernay’s vision shines through in her refusal to sanitize the past, delivering a story of hope during oppression that resonates beyond its historical context.