Selma

Paramount Pictures | Release Date: December 25, 2014

7.2	USER SCORE Generally favorable reviews based on 445 Ratings

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User Reviews

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UngapungiukJan 15, 2015

This movie is extremely slow moving. The acting is spot on but the story itself requires patience from the viewer while it moves along. If you decide to watch this movie, be prepared for the long haul but it may be worth it. Not my cup of teaThis movie is extremely slow moving. The acting is spot on but the story itself requires patience from the viewer while it moves along. If you decide to watch this movie, be prepared for the long haul but it may be worth it. Not my cup of tea but still well done.… Expand

4 of 5 users found this helpful41

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longjetty7Jan 28, 2015

I completely understand why the critics raved about this movie, although I feel like the civil rights movement is one of those subjects that will elicit great reviews no matter what. I'll admit that the movie was executed rather well, withI completely understand why the critics raved about this movie, although I feel like the civil rights movement is one of those subjects that will elicit great reviews no matter what. I'll admit that the movie was executed rather well, with strong acting and well-written dialogue, but overall this just wasn't a movie I cared about. MLK's character was disappointingly underdeveloped, and the pacing was pretty slow, especially the last half hour (and I'm typically not a fan of history lessons to begin with).

Also, I couldn't help but feel like this movie was a bit pointless. Race relations are certainly contentious these days, but EVERYONE at least realizes that voting equality is a no-brainer. If this movie is trying to make a political statement (which is probably the case considering the song during the credits), it's not going to change any opinions. However, if it's merely supposed to be a historical lesson, then it serves its purpose, although it is certainly not the first of its kind.… Expand

5 of 9 users found this helpful54

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swingJan 13, 2015

I was really looking forward to this film. While the facts may be correct, the story told drags. While some of the performances are good , it was more of an okay what's next.

3 of 8 users found this helpful35

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nicholasbertFeb 11, 2015

Unfortunately, when it comes to films like Selma, one would feel forced to give it a high score just because of its subject matter. Especially when the film is released with such appropriate timing. This is not the purpose of art, though.Unfortunately, when it comes to films like Selma, one would feel forced to give it a high score just because of its subject matter. Especially when the film is released with such appropriate timing. This is not the purpose of art, though. Nobody should teach anybody anything through movies.

Selma has positive traits, such as David Oyelowo's accurate portrayal (surely supported by research) and in general an impressive cast, coupled with some glimpses of powerful imagery and cinematography - but the way this story's told, with its attempted and never fulfilled take on family drama, and dull dialogue (except for Oyelowo's speeches, and I believe those were actual MLK speeches, so they don't count in the judging of the script) really take away a lot of what this movie could have been if it had been thought through more.

Like with 12 Years a Slave, there is a fundamental flaw in the way these social rights movies are made: the reassurance that just because they treat a particularly touchy subject, they ought to be exceptionally good, and, especially, that nobody can pan them or they'll be accused of some form of racism.

And speaking of racism, Selma makes it blatantly clear that it did not want to portray white people in a bad light: you've got your bad LBJ, your bad George Wallace, your bad Alabama policemen, but also your good white protesters in the march. This is thrown in your face and one can see immediately that it's made on purpose. Subtlety, yet again, is amiss.… Expand

1 of 4 users found this helpful13

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JamesLFeb 16, 2015

This film did not live up to the subject matter. In fact, I have seen better shows on television than this. It was as if this was a made for TV movie. I was really disappointed in the lack of scope and depth. Yes, I learned something aboutThis film did not live up to the subject matter. In fact, I have seen better shows on television than this. It was as if this was a made for TV movie. I was really disappointed in the lack of scope and depth. Yes, I learned something about the strategy but there was no emotional punch except in the old film footage. I found it hard to believe that this was a Hollywood production as it looked like amateur hour. Having Ophra and Sheen in it did not help.… Expand

0 of 3 users found this helpful03

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NedRyerson1Feb 19, 2015

Selma is the film that hopefully ends a trilogy about black men fighting for their rights, preceded by The Help and The Butler; except that for the grand finale they brought Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Hallelujah! Seems very interesting soSelma is the film that hopefully ends a trilogy about black men fighting for their rights, preceded by The Help and The Butler; except that for the grand finale they brought Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Hallelujah! Seems very interesting so far, the sad part is that the plot never puts aside propaganda, speech by speech the movie goes by, centered in just one moment of history: the march from Selma to Montgomery. We barely notice the protagonist's family life, and that's it. Maybe if the director decided to add moments of his childhood or a teenage episode that changed his thoughts, even another event of this fight; the picture could have been more dynamic. It really is very hard to follow, like a history class, you attend, try to pay attention, then surrender and at the end go home to realize you can't remember a thing.… Expand

0 of 3 users found this helpful03

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foxgroveFeb 9, 2015

Based on true historical fact, Selma has a great asset in a lean screenplay which omits extraneous story threads in favour of just honing in on the voting rights of blacks in the Deep South. Using the state of Alabama as its anchor the filmBased on true historical fact, Selma has a great asset in a lean screenplay which omits extraneous story threads in favour of just honing in on the voting rights of blacks in the Deep South. Using the state of Alabama as its anchor the film tells of a series of marches organised by Martin Luther King in order to win those rights. Establishing scenes make one fear that an unwanted history lesson is on the cards. However, once the marches start in earnest the film emits an undeniably emotive power. Scenes of preparation for the peaceful demonstrations are successfully juxtaposed with the violent solutions planned by the police and officials.
David Oyelowo is dignified as King and the domestic moments with his wife are tender even as they show him to be a flawed womaniser. Also his scenes with Tom Wilkinson, a standout as Lyndon B Johnson, are probably the best in the movie. Ava Du Vernay's direction is unflashy but she does get the most from her talented cast including Tim Roth, who, as George Wallace, also shares a wonderfully written scene with Wilkinson. For a two hour plus movie it doesn’t really drag once the main narrative gets underway. It’s actually a small film with a big subject matter. The Oscar nominated song Glory which, whilst not that inspired as a piece of music, pertinently and unashamedly declares a suitably victorious outcome for the oppressed.… Expand

0 of 2 users found this helpful02

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LynMay 25, 2015

Though well-intentioned, "Selma" really suffers from the fractious King family's refusal to allow the use of MLK's own eloquent words. The usually excellent Oyelowo seemed oddly low-key as MLK, except when he was speechifying. Overall aThough well-intentioned, "Selma" really suffers from the fractious King family's refusal to allow the use of MLK's own eloquent words. The usually excellent Oyelowo seemed oddly low-key as MLK, except when he was speechifying. Overall a worthwhile piece of history and definitely had some stirring moments. But does not feel like an embodiment of the man and his times as (for example) Denzel Washington did with Malcolm X or Colin Firth did with King George VI.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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