The one big takeaway from the Golden Globes is many have fallen in love with Boyhood. The film, which took over 10 years to complete, walked away with the Best Motion Picture (Drama) and Patricia Arquette winning for Best Actress in a Motion Picture–Drama, However, the night was quiet for one film in particular, and that was Selma.
Selma, which tells the story of the Martin Luther King led protests for African-American voting rights, was a standout film, and is simply too good to be ignored. Director Ava DuVernay perfectly blends the elements of storytelling, acting, and the brutal realism into one perfectly made film, all of which is led by lead actor David Oyelowo. Playing the role of Martin Luther King Jr, Oyelowo captures the spirit and tenacity of the world’s most glorified civil rights activist. It’s a role that many would not be capable of achieving, but Oyelowo makes it possible, and he felt immense pressure to capture it on screen, as he told CNN
“Doubt….never really beset me,” he said “What did hit me were moments of feeling the weight….and responsibility to get it right.”
In addition to Oyelowo, the film was also highlighted by 21 year-old Stephan James, whose role might not have been the biggest, but was one of the most impactful. Playing John Lewis, James was arguably the highlight of the film’s second half, as he stood on the frontlines for one of the films more intense scenes. The film did not walk away empty-handed at the Golden Globes, as the John Legend and Common preformed track, Glory, walked away with Best Original Song – Motion Picture. Selma is simply too good for just one award, especially one that doesn’t highlight the films incredible acting or passion.
With the Oscars around the corner, let’s hope Selma gets a little more love from the Academy than they did the Hollywood Foreign Press.