I rarely give 8 stars but this film deserved every one of them.
Hands down the BEST performance I have seen ALL YEAR, in MANY YEARS! Coleman Domingo's Bayard Rustin, is brilliant in every second of this film. IMHO Cillian Murphy's flat, boring, detached performance, in a very long, dragged out, dull, convoluted, messy film: Oppenheimer, doesn't hold a candle to Domingo.
Domingo's performance embodies dynamism. And the film takes us on an incredible journey of fearlessness, tenacity and trust.
The ensemble cast is par none. Chris Rock gives a solid performance as Roy Wilkins the head of the NAACP. And what a year Jeffrey Wright is having. Mr. Right's Adam Clayton Powell is so detestable in this film, and after being so open and likable in American Fiction, it is wonderful see his two tour de forces in one year.
Back to Rustin what an amazing story. The writing is top notch, the pace is perfect, the music fits. This is a fantastic film that keeps you engaged from the opening scene to the end credits.
It is sad that this film is not getting the attention it DESERVES. The cloud of the bomb, and I use that term on purpose, is overshadowing an amazing film, incredible performances and a stunning out of the park performance by Colman Domingo.
He is brilliant, he emerges onto the screen like a comet blinding the screen with energy, excitement, honesty, focus and skill and he never loses your attention.
BRAVO Mr. Domingo! In my eyes YOU ARE the winner of the Academy Award. You gave us ALL a Master Class in commitment to honesty, and an unending perseverance to create a believable and seamless character, who was living a dangerous double life while trying to keep his above water.
You pulled that off with honors sir. You should be commended for letting the world in on Rustin's secrets, fears, vulnerability in such an honest and gut wrenching, at times way, thank you for risking it all the way you did.
Outstanding film, if you can find your way out of the nuclear fog for a few hours, do yourselves a favor and don't miss RUSTIN.
