Selma

PG-13 / 2 hr 13 min / Biography - Drama - History

What is it about?

The civil rights movement is in full swing in 1965. Martin Luther King Jr. is looking for a place to push President Lyndon Johnson to pass a bill that would protect those who only wish to execute their legal right to vote. After a terrorist attack on a church that kills four children, King decides on Selma as the place to tackle this problem. Standing in their was in Sheriff Jim Clark who is a bit of a bully. The first confrontation is at the City Hall building where the voting registration office is. The sheriff blocks them there, and the standoff ends in violence. They arrest Dr. King, but that does not weaken his resolve. They decide to organize a march on the state capitol in Montgomery.

You will like it if...

You like moving political dramas based off the civil rights movement. The story in this movie is even more impactful if you consider that it only covers one small part of the story of Dr. Martin Luther King. The story in this film is powerful and moving like many of King's speeches. It's easy to get caught up in the strong emotions of the story. The acting is decent, but at times it can feel a bit like a documentary rather than a movie. Considering recent events you can pick a cause to apply what you learn from this movie. Just think of what the United States would be like today if good men did nothing when they were called to action in Selma. Think of what we could all accomplish if we banded together and tried to fix the problems of today. I would recommend this movie to anyone that is interested in making the world a better place for the future. It's not a perfect movie and drags in parts, but it is an inspiring look at one of the impactful moments of the civil rights movement.