Director: Kasi Lemmons
Starring: Cynthia Erivo, Joe Alwyn, Janelle Monáe
Running Time: 125 minutes
Synopsis: In Maryland of 1849, Araminta "Minty" Ross (Cynthia Eriva) is a slave on the Brodess plantation. Determined to achieve freedom and escape the brutality of her owner Gideon (Joe Alwyn), she leaves her family and husband behind and flees 100 miles north to Philadelphia. She adopts the name Harriet Tubman and settles into a life of freedom with help from abolitionist William Sill (Leslie Odom Jr.) and business owner Marie Buchanon (Janelle Monáe). Unsatisfied with passivity, Harriet then sets out to help others escape slavery, and emerges as a fearless leader of the Underground Railroad.
Running Time: 125 minutes
Synopsis: In Maryland of 1849, Araminta "Minty" Ross (Cynthia Eriva) is a slave on the Brodess plantation. Determined to achieve freedom and escape the brutality of her owner Gideon (Joe Alwyn), she leaves her family and husband behind and flees 100 miles north to Philadelphia. She adopts the name Harriet Tubman and settles into a life of freedom with help from abolitionist William Sill (Leslie Odom Jr.) and business owner Marie Buchanon (Janelle Monáe). Unsatisfied with passivity, Harriet then sets out to help others escape slavery, and emerges as a fearless leader of the Underground Railroad.
What Works Well: Based on actual events, this is a story of one formidable woman risking everything to make a difference and push back against a historical wrong. Director Kasi Lemmons co-wrote the script with Gregory Allen Howard, and captures the essence of Harriet's struggle to free herself, her family, and ultimately her race. Human drama alternates with heart-pounding escapes, and Cynthia Erivo's performance is filled with rage but also fragility, loneliness, and longing. While the focus is on Harriet, her faith-enabled journey is surrounded by the dynamic historical context of a country marching towards a civil war triggered by divergent ideological and economic realities.
What Does Not Work As Well: The narrative borders on a hagiography, with Harriet approaching saintly levels of perfection. The overblown and frequently melodramatic music score does not help.
Key Quote:
Harriet: I'm gonna be free or die.
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My problem with this one was that Harriet Tubman's actual story didn't need to be toyed with. It was good enough going in. Why mess with it?
ReplyDeleteFair enough...but this does not pretend to be a documentary. I'm ok with a bit of artistic license to craft a cinematic experience.
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