In a time when racial tensions in the US are especially tense a movie like Loving is not only appropriate, it is timely. The film tells the true story of Richard and Mildred Loving a mixed race couple arrested and imprisoned in Virginia in 1958 as their marriage breached anti-miscegenation laws.
Joel Edgerton (Zero Dark Thirty, Black Mass) and Ruth Negga (‘Marvel’s Agents of SHIELD’, Warcraft) star as the titular couple. In the trailer we see the couple getting married, being arrested, facing the courts and raising their mixed race family.
In the under three minute trailer you can feel the chemistry between the leads and a strength of character that is quite moving. Hearing Mildred declare that she will raise her family “here” in spite of racial prejudice and hearing Richard declare his love for his wife is some soul stirring stuff.
Loving is written and directed by Jeff Nichols and is his fifth feature. I have not seen any of his previous movies but from the brief scenes the movie looks, well lovely. The 1967 landmark court decision in the case Loving v Virginia invalidated laws prohibiting interracial marriage.
The Lovings’ story was adapted into a film in 1996 Mr and Mrs Loving, though according to Mildred Loving it was not a faithful retelling, and also in a 2012 HBO documentary. I am excited to see the latest version and revisit a time when love won against hate and prejudice. Loving hits theatres on November 4.
So what did you think of the trailer? Feel free to comment below.
For another true story involving race and prejudice you can check out my review of Black Moses here. And for more movie posts you can follow me on Twitter @suprememango2012. Julien is outie like a navel. L8rs.
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