If the Academy of Motion Pictures dissed “Selma” like it dissed “The Color Purple,” it’s a sure sign the film is destined to become a black family classic.
So I beat it to the movie theater on Sunday afternoon and was blown away.
First, by the depiction of the bombing that killed four little girls at a Birmingham church during the height of the civil right movement, and later by the re-enactment of the violent assault that took place on the Edmund Pettus Bridge, known as “Bloody Sunday.”
Peaceful protesters had arms linked to begin their march to the state capital of Montgomery, when armed officers on foot and on horseback attacked them with clubs, whips and tear gas.
I don’t think I could have knowingly walked into harm’s way like that.
Obviously, this movie might be too intense for younger audiences. After seeing the film, I’ve changed my mind about taking my 7-year-old granddaughter.
“Selma” has been nominated for Oscars in the “Best Picture” and “Best Original Song” categories, but fans are disappointed that David Oyelowo, who portrayed King, and DuVernay were overlooked.
Frankly, King’s image and voice are still so familiar, it took awhile for me to warm up to Oyelowo. And DuVernay is being attacked for her portrayal of President Lyndon B. Johnson as an obstructionist rather than King’s partner in the fight for voting rights.