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8

GreatMartinOct 18, 2017

The theme of “Marshall” is a familiar one with a Black man being held a prisoner for the raping, beating and then kidnapping a wealthy White woman he works for to cover up the crime. It takes place in Connecticut in 1941. ThurgoodThe theme of “Marshall” is a familiar one with a Black man being held a prisoner for the raping, beating and then kidnapping a wealthy White woman he works for to cover up the crime. It takes place in Connecticut in 1941. Thurgood Marshall is at the beginning of his career and is representing the man Joseph Spell and also the NAACP in a fight for justice at a very racist time. It is due to the racism of the Judge that forces Marshall to hire a White Jewish man to lead the council making the former the second chair in the trial and not allowed to speak to the court in defense of the man. A local Jewish lawyer, who faces his own discrimination because of his religion, Sam Friedman who is not a criminal lawyer having handled only insurance and accident cases. If the movie had been called “Sam” it would be the same story but not hold the cache that the name Thurgood Marshall does. Without knowing a thing about this man you could write the screenplay or, at the least, know what is going to happen. What makes “Marshall” different is that the story, no matter how many times you see/read/hear about it the horror of what happens and how it happens comes up and you find yourself shaking your head in disbelief or gasping and not wanting to believe things like that happened in the USA and still do! The movie is lifted above the run of the mill because it does involve the career of a man who would one day sit on the bench of the Supreme Court of the United States as the first Black Judge. It is also lifted by the performances by the cast starting with Chadwick Boseman as Thurgood Marshall bringing the force of the man who would bring much change to our country. Josh Gad as the Jewish lawyer Sam Friedman is Boseman’s equal in acting even if cheated by the screenplay in filling out his character. Sterling K. Brown as the possible rapist Joseph Spell who is not exactly as he may seem to be and the accuser Eleanor Strubing played by Kate Hudson may have secrets of her own to hide with both acing their performances. What sets this ‘seen it before’ trial on a different level are the odd coupling of the lawyers defending the suspect but even more so the judge played by James Cromwell refusing the defense team the basic courtesies of a courtroom because of his own racism. In this small snippet of Thurgood Marshall’s life we do see what made the man he would become but we are also shown the racism and anti-Semitism that was so prevalent in the North in the 1940s. Based on a true story staying for the end credits gives an interesting history of what happened to the people involved though I don’t recall any reference to Strubing and Spell and am interested enough to see if anything more is written of them. “Marshall” is a good movie on many levels starting with the involved courtroom drama, extending to the high performances by all involved plus the history of a man many may not know in addition to another man almost never heard of since this trial and what he dealt with and was to become of this one case he lead, first as a frontman than as the leader. The screenplay by Michael and Jacob Koskoff, the former a veteran civil rights lawyer, the latter his son, hold the audiences interest as far as the courtroom case, the accused and accuser and all involved concerned while the director Reginald Hudlin does a workingman’s job smartly giving the actors the leeway to be their characters. Would “Marshall” be as good a movie without that name and not being about that person? I think so but his name adds the gravitas to separate it from being just another movie.… Expand

2 of 2 users found this helpful20

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8

RelaxedmikeOct 19, 2017

Thoroughly enjoyed this movie and viewed it with keen interest. There were only 4 people at the moving showing when I went. Guess many don't like these themes. The trpidations and struggles some people had to go thru in this country just toThoroughly enjoyed this movie and viewed it with keen interest. There were only 4 people at the moving showing when I went. Guess many don't like these themes. The trpidations and struggles some people had to go thru in this country just to walk down the sidewalk at ease..It amazes me still today. This was the NAACP at its best. Ferrying lawyers across the country to protect innocent accused black people. What this movie does not show is..A lot of these cases were lost due to outright Bigotry. But Justice did prevail..in a few. Good acting all around.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

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8

SpangleOct 15, 2017

Far too often, biographical films can be too ambitious. Often trying to capture every crucial moment of an individual's life and then sew them all together in a condensed package, biopics can be bloated messes that never seem to hit aFar too often, biographical films can be too ambitious. Often trying to capture every crucial moment of an individual's life and then sew them all together in a condensed package, biopics can be bloated messes that never seem to hit a consistent flow. Instead, they jump from moment-to-moment trying to paint a picture of the protagonist along the way. 2014's Get on Up - which also starred Chadwick Boseman in the leadinr role - is the perfect embodiment of this flawed approach. Reginald Hublin's Marshall is the exact opposite. Blending biopic ambitions with the formula of a courtroom drama, Hublin manages to make a film that may not tell the story of Marshall, but does something all the more important: it lets the audience get a feeling for who the man was in life and in the courtroom. As an attorney for the NAACP and eventually a Supreme Court justice, Marshall's life was defined by his words and passions in a courtroom. Thus, it is only appropriate to use this one case of a man accused of a heinous crime due to his race as a microcosm of the lifelong fight for equality embarked upon by Marshall and many others.

It is a film that may not reinvent the wheel in its narrative structure, but it nonetheless embodies the possibility of both the biopic and the courtroom drama genres. For that, the appeal is easy to understand. After a black chauffeur named Joseph Spell (Sterling K. Brown) is accused of rape by his white employer Eleanor Strubling (Kate Hudson), young trial attorney Thurgood Marshall is sent by the NAACP to represent Spell, provided he is an innocent man only accused because of his race. Unable to try the case himself due to not being licensed to practice law in the state of Connecticut, Marshall must rely upon local civil lawyer Sam Friedman (Josh Gad) to try the case. Limited to only sitting at the defense table in the courtroom, Marshall instructs Friedman on what he must do, what he must say, and what questions he must ask. Directing the trial like a silent but firm teacher, Marshall is in full control and is not a man who can be muzzled by those who wish for him to stop talking.

A thrilling and thoroughly engrossing courtroom drama, Marshall is a film that continuously keeps the audience captivated and fully engaged in the proceedings. As we are left hanging on every word, Marshall shows the murkiness of the case. Joseph Spell is a man with a lot of baggage - such as a dishonorable discharge and adultery - that makes him an easy man to convict. Comparatively, Eleanor is a rich socialite. In 1940s America, it is easy to assume what the result of the case is going to be, even if Marshall lends his legal mind to the case. What makes the film often so captivating, however, is the demonstration of the uncertainty as to whether or not Joseph committed the crime. He is passionate in arguing his innocence. Eleanor's story does not gel with what a reasonable person would be expected to do under similar circumstances. Yet, Joseph's story continuously changes. Is he a man who can be trusted? Thurgood Marshall hardly trusts him, incessantly asking Joseph to reaffirm his innocence to avoid an embarrassment for the NAACP.

It is in this that the film barrels towards its conclusion in a shroud of mystery. We believe Joseph and the film expects us to believe him, but the film does not share the same regard for the justice system. Matching the mystery and confusion regarding Joseph with a great tension regarding whether or not the system will oppress Joseph or not, Marshall plays up this element to great impact. A great example of this comes as prosecutor Lorin Willis - portrayed by the excellent Dan Stevens who turns in a great villainous, racist, and deeply smarmy turn as this reprehensible character - moves for an answer given by Joseph under cross-examination to be stricken from the record. The question, pertaining to why Joseph would lie about having sex with Eleanor and only now claim it to be consensual, is answered passionately by Joseph as he details how, in this case, it is truth that would get him killed in the South because he is black and the woman is white. Incensed by the answer and recognizing the damage it can have on his case, Willis looks at the judge (James Cromwell) for help. With a dramatic pause - which was met with cries for the judge to "do the right thing" in my theater - Hublin builds great anticipation for what the judge will say that speaks to the strength of the film. Yes, it is a courtroom drama. However, it is never predictable. Instead, the court proceedings and even the case itself are shrouded in doubt. This uncertainty and the way in which Hublin utilizes it to create tension and anticipation of every word to come, is what makes Marshall such a courtroom drama. It is a film about racial tension, injustice, and the man who fought for equality. Yet, it does not just allow its courtroom setting to be a backdrop with the result of the case a foregone conclusion.… Expand

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

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8

moviemitch96Oct 16, 2017

A surprisingly gripping courtroom drama that slightly surpassed my expectations! Chadwick Boseman delivers a powerful performance in the titular role, as does Josh Gad by his side! The film is definitely played by the numbers in terms of aA surprisingly gripping courtroom drama that slightly surpassed my expectations! Chadwick Boseman delivers a powerful performance in the titular role, as does Josh Gad by his side! The film is definitely played by the numbers in terms of a courtroom drama for the most part, but the powerful and committed acting/performances from everyone involved, along with the compelling retelling of its true story rendered that quite irrelevant for me. Overall, definitely a solid, well-told and very well-executed, as well as a thought-provoking true story that's worth checking out!… Expand

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7

EpicLadySpongeOct 13, 2017

Marshall delivers on what it tries to deliver. Isn't it literally sad I just said that in front of a review on a drama film? I know, but Marshall is way more than what it seems to appear in front of the screen. Give it a chance to become whatMarshall delivers on what it tries to deliver. Isn't it literally sad I just said that in front of a review on a drama film? I know, but Marshall is way more than what it seems to appear in front of the screen. Give it a chance to become what it wants to become.… Expand

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8

RatedRexOct 15, 2017

"Marshall" is a very good movie. It shows Thurgood Marshall, the future Supreme Court Justice, in one of his earlier cases. Chadwick Boseman does an outstanding job in the title role. Boseman has proven he can do just about anything as an"Marshall" is a very good movie. It shows Thurgood Marshall, the future Supreme Court Justice, in one of his earlier cases. Chadwick Boseman does an outstanding job in the title role. Boseman has proven he can do just about anything as an actor. His portrayal of James Brown in the movie "Get on Up" was one of the greatest performances that I have ever seen, and I have seen them all.. It is a shame that "Marshall" probably won't get the support that it deserves. Folks, these days, would rather go see the mindlessness of "Ride Along" than see the sophistication of a movie like "Marshall." I also see that some bottom-feeding folks have already attempted to sabotage the movie by giving it low ratings, even though they haven't seen the movie. I have seen this type of sabotage before (especially since the rise of Trump), when black movies focus on serious racial themes. "Marshall" is the type of movie that reinforces the belief that cinema can still dramatize historical events with entertaining flair. Take the family.… Expand

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10

PoppaShaneOct 29, 2017

Admittedly, I love Chadwick Boseman. This also means when I see him in a movie, I have high expectations. "Marshall" does not disappoint. Boseman, Josh Gad, and Sterling K. Brown all give brilliant performances. The cast is well rounded byAdmittedly, I love Chadwick Boseman. This also means when I see him in a movie, I have high expectations. "Marshall" does not disappoint. Boseman, Josh Gad, and Sterling K. Brown all give brilliant performances. The cast is well rounded by the likes of Keesha Sharp, Kate Hudson, & James Cromwell. The movie has a nice film noir feel to it for which Reginald Hudlin deserves high praise. If you like courtroom dramas in the vein of "To Kill A Mockingbird" & "A Soldier's Story" You will love "Marshall.… Expand

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9

DOUGKOct 31, 2017

This film deserves better reviews, it is quite good. Thurgood Marshall was one of the best if not the best lawyer of the 20th Century. He must have been unbelievably brave to do what he did. This case gives some idea of how smart he was.This film deserves better reviews, it is quite good. Thurgood Marshall was one of the best if not the best lawyer of the 20th Century. He must have been unbelievably brave to do what he did. This case gives some idea of how smart he was. There is a documentary called Mr. Civil Rights which is great and worth seeing.… Expand

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9

elsiemonsterNov 6, 2017

This is a great biopic about someone more people need to learn about. I tend to forget that there were ordinary people doing extraordinary things while navigating through a unforgiving and mean-spirited society that existed decades ago.This is a great biopic about someone more people need to learn about. I tend to forget that there were ordinary people doing extraordinary things while navigating through a unforgiving and mean-spirited society that existed decades ago. Refreshing and inspiring.… Expand

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9

rosanneramajNov 7, 2017

A riveting, touching tale that demonstrates the history of racism and how terminating it changed the laws and hearts of Americans dating back to the early 1950's. Instead of falling into a ditch based on the good deeds by Marshall, heA riveting, touching tale that demonstrates the history of racism and how terminating it changed the laws and hearts of Americans dating back to the early 1950's. Instead of falling into a ditch based on the good deeds by Marshall, he embraces his good to prevent wrongdoings in the northeast in order to contend with racist and anti Semitic views who believe Joseph Spell to be guilty.… Expand

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7

TVJerryOct 14, 2017

This title refers to Thurgood Marshall, the first black US Supreme Court justice. But this isn't really a biopic because it focuses on one case taken on by the young attorney (Chadwick Boseman). While working for the NAACP, he was sent toThis title refers to Thurgood Marshall, the first black US Supreme Court justice. But this isn't really a biopic because it focuses on one case taken on by the young attorney (Chadwick Boseman). While working for the NAACP, he was sent to defend a black chauffeur (Sterling K. Brown) accused of raping a white woman (Kate Hudson). Also in this roots story is the first criminal case of his reluctant partner Sam Friedman (Josh Gad). This is a courtroom procedural that's colored by 1940's racism, but director Reginald Hudlin has crafted a solid drama with moments of humor and a sense of determination instead of outrage. The top-notch performances are uniformly compelling. There's nothing original in the approach, but it's a well-made and entertaining history lesson.… Expand