REVIEW | Rustin, Netflix

Reviews

23 Nov

Written by Philip

Disclaimer: We were gifted a ticket in return for an honest review. All opinions are our own.

The 1963 March on Washington DC is a moment in history that will never be forgotten. But can the same be said about one of the organisers of this momentous event? Rustin tells the story of Bayard Rustin, a leader of the Civil Rights Movement alongside Martin Luther King Jr. His dedication to the cause shines ever so brightly in this political drama.

This piece of cinema focuses on the shifting politics of 1960s America. The fight for the civil and economic rights of African Americans in the USA was at the forefront of the piece, while the criminality of being a member of the LGBTQIA+ community was also an important plot point. Both were important in the film and of course in the lived experience of Bayard Rustin himself. The March on Washington was in fact one of the largest political rallies in US history and was credited with helping to pass the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

George C. Wolfe directed the film with such great attention to detail. Making sure that this biographical film was true to life. Fleshing out Rustin’s life and allowing the audience to really get to know him. Wolfe really focuses on truth. Making sure nothing is ever forced. The film feels organic with huge amounts of research and planning carefully being carried out. A hugely difficult balancing act that is expertly accomplished.

Colman Domingo embodies Rustin with every fibre of his being. Domingo has taken a blank slate and built his version of Rustin brick by brick. He is electric. You feel every ounce of anxiety and pain while sharing the joy and happiness. As Rustin plays the political game, he also tries to live authentically as a gay man in a world where just being yourself is illegal. He is constantly fighting oppression and you see the hardships he has to go through just to be heard. Domingo has the audience on his side with every word and every gesture. A masterpiece in storytelling.

The supporting cast around Domingo is filled with strong dramatic actors. Aml Ameen excels as Martin Luther King Jr. He takes on the role with knowledge and understanding and shows us the more vulnerable side of Luther King Jr. The connection and brotherhood that Martin Luther King Jr. and Bayard Rustin had are expertly portrayed by Ameen and Domingo respectively. Chris Rock who plays Roy Wilkins, Glynn Turman who plays A. Philip Randolph, Johnny Ramey as Elias Taylor and Gus Halper as Tom are just a few of the other people who really bring this art to life. Together they build a truthful world and give excellent performances - reflections of their historical counterparts.

Produced by Barack and Michelle Obama’s production company, Higher Ground and with a script by Julian Breece and Dustin Lance Black, Rustin really shows the importance of Bayard Rustin to Martin Luther King Jr, the Civil Rights Movement and the world in general. This is a must-see film.