Loving (2016)

User Review

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  TheMovieDiorama

  7 / 10

  Loving is the pure definition of understated. Every aspect to this film is understated. Understated acting. Understated directing. Understated cinematography. Understated screenplay. I think you get the idea. All these components join together to create a nuanced story that lingers in your mind. The true story of Richard and Mildred Loving who were targeted by a law that prevents interracial marriage in West Virginia. With the assistance of civil right lawyers, they tackle the courts head on in an attempt to be heard from the Supreme Court. An important story that needed to be told, both thematically and literally. The blurred line between segregation and slavery laws that, combined, established racial stereotypes. Marriage is an inherent right regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation and it never fails to shock me how the abolishment of such laws have only been recent. We have to thank people like the Loving's who experienced consequences first-hand and desired to change the mistreatment of people like themselves. Portrayed enigmatically by Negga and Edgerton who were reluctant at being in the public eye during the case. They both conveyed innocence and fragility to perfection, and their on-screen chemistry was beautiful. Nichols' direction was splendid, he took care in detailing the home lives of the Loving's to enhance the characterisation. The cinematography was also stunning, adored the juxtaposition between rural Virginia and urban Washington. Unfortunately, the problem is with the glacial pacing. The runtime consists greatly of the Loving's and the way they live their daily lives, but has no impact on the greater picture on civil rights. There was no emotional impact until the last one minute where we discover what happened after the film. It's a sensitive topic, but it needed more power in order to convey its importance and unfortunately the screenplay didn't allow that. Exquisitely acted and directed, just not emotional enough for me.

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