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Fueled by a gripping performance from David Oyelowo, Selma draws inspiration and dramatic power from the life and death of Martin Luther King, Jr. -- but doesn't ignore how far we remain from the ideals his work embodied.
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All Critics (304) | Top Critics (61) | Fresh (300) | Rotten (4)
If you don't mind the technical confusion it's a gripping story, and a great credit to DuVernay and co-writer Paul Webb who were unable to use King's original speeches for copyright reasons. Oct 4, 2018 | Rating: 3.5/5 | Full Review…
If you don't mind the technical confusion it's a gripping story, and a great credit to DuVernay and co-writer Paul Webb who were unable to use King's original speeches for copyright reasons.
Simon Weaving
Ava DuVernay's Selma is a beautifully observed drama of public and private lives, of personal narratives and historic moments. Oct 4, 2018 | Rating: 4/5 | Full Review…
Ava DuVernay's Selma is a beautifully observed drama of public and private lives, of personal narratives and historic moments.
Philippa Hawker
David Oyelowo breathes such life into it and makes you feel like you're seeing this person for the first time. Sep 25, 2018 | Rating: 8.5/10 | Full Review…
David Oyelowo breathes such life into it and makes you feel like you're seeing this person for the first time.
Christy Lemire
It's extremely difficult to portray a legendary historical figure in a way that does justice to both that figure's momentousness and his humanity, but Oyelowo has found a way to do it. Sep 25, 2018 | Rating: B | Full Review…
It's extremely difficult to portray a legendary historical figure in a way that does justice to both that figure's momentousness and his humanity, but Oyelowo has found a way to do it.
Peter Rainer
Even if DuVernay stumbles a bit when it comes to political sausage-making (really, who knows?), the film is dramatically tight and emotionally true. Sep 25, 2018 | Rating: A | Full Review…
Even if DuVernay stumbles a bit when it comes to political sausage-making (really, who knows?), the film is dramatically tight and emotionally true.
Tom Long
In some ways it's beyond criticism as the first-ever major movie about this heroic campaigner. Feb 6, 2015 | Rating: 3/5 | Full Review…
In some ways it's beyond criticism as the first-ever major movie about this heroic campaigner.
David Sexton
In bringing together the personal, the political, and the historic, DuVernay has crafted a film that will be remembered and studied for years to come. Jan 9, 2020 | Full Review…
In bringing together the personal, the political, and the historic, DuVernay has crafted a film that will be remembered and studied for years to come.
Chris McCoy
...offering not only a superbly-realized presentation of a particular series of events, but also a sense of what it meant to live through the historical period in question. Dec 30, 2019 | Rating: 8/10 | Full Review…
...offering not only a superbly-realized presentation of a particular series of events, but also a sense of what it meant to live through the historical period in question.
Sarah Boslaugh
It's the weight of history that gives Selma so much emotional heft. Nov 27, 2019 | Full Review…
It's the weight of history that gives Selma so much emotional heft.
David Harris
...[I]n zooming in on one moment, director DuVernay and writer Paul Webb really force us to live in the trial by fire that was the American South in 1965. Oct 21, 2019 | Full Review…
...[I]n zooming in on one moment, director DuVernay and writer Paul Webb really force us to live in the trial by fire that was the American South in 1965.
Debbie Holloway
As director, DuVernay employs a style of storytelling... that makes it possible for audiences to find the film engrossing, entertaining, and educational. Aug 2, 2019 | Rating: 5/5 | Full Review…
As director, DuVernay employs a style of storytelling... that makes it possible for audiences to find the film engrossing, entertaining, and educational.
Leslie Combemale
Selma is spectacularly staged, impressively acted and narratively satisfying. But it is also something much, much more and we need much, much more like it. Jul 30, 2019 | Rating: A | Full Review…
Selma is spectacularly staged, impressively acted and narratively satisfying. But it is also something much, much more and we need much, much more like it.
Ryan Syrek
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