"How sad that Selma will likely be remembered for the emotional debates about its historical accuracy and its Oscar-worthiness, because above all else it is an inspiring portrait of courage under fire and the power of nonviolent protest, and a landmark achievement in the history of cinematic depictions of Martin Luther King, Jr. The decision by director Ava DuVernay and screenwriter Paul Webb to root the story in a distinct place and time (the course of about 6 months) is critical to its success. A conventional MLK biopic would have suffered under the weight of flashbacks, obligatory scenes to mark the years, too many characters and settings, and no identifiable soul.
"On the contrary, Selma immerses you in its environment and intimately reveals King’s personality and character by examining one of his crowning achievements. The film is a riveting lesson in rhetoric by a man whose legacy has been defined by his oratory, but it also illustrates King's effectiveness in communicating during smaller, quieter moments. And it underscores the brilliance of his strategy: building coalitions, leading by example, and most importantly, using the power of traditional media at a time when it was much more centralized and influential than it is today.
"DuVernay patiently allows the events in Selma to breathe, which both informs viewers unfamiliar with the movement’s history and also builds emotional momentum to a soaring climax. Like Paul Greengrass’ grittier Bloody Sunday, Selma’s narrow focus ironically reveals a much bigger picture about the zeitgeist of societal change in the 1960s. Like Gus van Sant’s Milk, Selma humanizes a heroic figure by exposing his conflicted thoughts, fears, and self-doubts. DuVernay occasionally sentimentalizes King's nature but doesn't canonize him as a flawless man. When I wrote a piece in 2008 spitballing potential casting choices for a MLK biopic, I never could have anticipated the revelation that is the British actor David Oyelowo, whose ability to balance King’s gentleness with his fiery passion and provocative wit is a sight to behold.
"Artistic decisions about U.S. President Lyndon B. Johnson's support of the voting rights movement, among other details, have led to questions about Selma’s historical accuracy. As disappointing as the accusations are considering the countless terrible historical dramas that have been offered by much more high-profile directors (not coincidentally all white men), it’s perhaps expected considering the politicization of pretty much everything in 2015, fueled in large part by a polarized national and social media. Either way, the specific charges miss the bigger picture: DuVernay deserves as much artistic license as a director of any other historical drama, including other high-profile Oscar nominees The Imitation Game, The Theory of Everything, Foxcatcher, and American Sniper. Why should Selma be held to a different standard?
"In any case, the film’s strongest scenes are those around which there is no controversy, such as the “Bloody Sunday” first march attempt - one of the most arresting scenes in any film this year. Dashed with unnerving sounds and images that evoke the black experience in America from slavery to Ferguson, and held in rhythm by a pounding gospel hymn, it is a stunning composition. In this scene, and in almost every frame of Selma, the gorgeous cinematography of Bradford Young also adds a crackling vibrancy. DuVernay’s artistry is no less impressive in Selma’s more introspective scenes, again aided by Webb's thoughtful screenplay and an extraordinarily talented cast.
"Barely two generations removed from the film’s events, DuVernay has revived the spirit of a national hero whose message and methods still deeply resonate on issues as diverse as same-sex marriage, police-community relations, minimum wage, and even, still, basic voting rights. In thrilling artistic fashion, and with thoughtful regard for its place in history, Selma reminds us that the philosophy of King’s movement is timeless, even if the man himself is not here to carry it out." ~ Daniel Getahun
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