“Harriet” Review by Stephanie Chapman
December 3, 2019 6:13 am |
Directed by Kasi Lemmons and written by Gregory Allen Howard “Harriet” brings the long awaited story of one of America’s greatest heroes to the big screen.
We all know the story of Harriet Tubman but many do not know about her life before she earned the nickname “Moses” or the life she led after abolition. While this film focuses solely on her work to free slaves it does summarize her life before and after in well placed bookends.
“Harriet” is beautifully played by Cynthia Erivo who is masterful at evoking the strength and courage one could only imagine Harriet had as she navigated the deadly south in search of freedom for herself and others. Joe Alwyn plays “Gideon Brodess” the son of her owner and on whose plantation she worked and lived. His character seethes with hate and anger as he fights against Harriet’s unwavering strength.
The cast is rounded out beautifully with William Still (played by Leslie Odom) a Philadelphia abolitionist who befriends Harriet and quickly learns that he cannot curb her drive to give freedom to as many slaves as she can. Her father, Ben Ross (played by Clarke Peters) whose love for his children is palatable and will cause the audience to always be concerned about his well being. In addition, the role of Marie Buchanon (played by Janelle Monae) serves as a wake up call to Harriet, in both good ways and bad that she must continue her fight for the lives of those living in slave states so that they can experience a small piece of the freedom that comes from crossing over that Pennsylvania border.
This film excels in its portrayal of the harsh realities of a nation that existed only 7-8 generations ago. It will evoke pain, sympathy, fear and anger in those who realize that this portrayal is still a sterilized version of what life was like for those in bondage. The performances from the cast are stellar and their portrayal on screen is nothing short of enchanting.
Unfortunately this film focuses on a very narrow aspect of Tubman’s life and although it was important, her role in the Underground Railroad was not her only mission. She also served with the union forces during the civil war and was a leader in the suffrage movement. While it did mention these accomplishments they were glossed over rather haphazardly and with an additional 20-30 min could have given that aspect of her life more justice.
Audiences should run, not walk to see Harriet. Be prepared to finally see a story we have only read about, brought to life and given the respect and attention it deserves.
PCL Rating: High Taste It
Rotten Tomatoes Rating: FRESH 🍅
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Tags: Harriet, Harriet Movie 2019, pop culture leftovers, Stephanie Chapman
Categorised in: Movie Reviews
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