HARRIET (2019) – My rating: 9/10

 

Harriet is a biographical film about slave-turned-abolitionist Harriet Tubman. Directed by Kasi Lemmons, who wrote the screenplay with Gregory Allen Howard. Harriet was released in the US on November 1, 2019 by Focus Features, which is owned by Comcast. Harriet turned out to be better than I expected.  While Harriet isn’t 100% accurate, it’s close enough.  Everyone should learn about Harriet Tubman.

 

Harriet opens on the Brodess plantation in Maryland with Araminta “Minty Ross /  Harriet Tubman (Cynthia Erivo) laid out near a tree.  She appears to be asleep but her husband John Tubman (Zackary Momoh) and her father Ben Ross (Clarke Peters) are standing by as she recovers from what they call “a spell”. In fact, her spells are visions of the future along with her conversations with GOD.  As Minty awakens, her husband cuddles her showing much love.  Minty is excited about a letter they received quoting freedom for her mother and perhaps Minty as well. This might mean they all could live together.

**** SPOILERS ****

Later Minty, her family and a few fellow-slaves gathered to listen to a church sermon, preached by a respected, fellow slave, Reverend Samual Green (Vondie Curtis-Hall) on the front porch steps of Edward Brodess’ (Michael Marunde) house. After the service, Minty and members of her family asked to speak with Edward regarding a promise his father made to free her mother, Rit Ross (Vanessa Bell Calloway) when she turns 45. Minty’s husband John and her father Ben were already free men. Rit is now 57 and Edward refuses to free her despite the letter stating the information needed for her release. Edward tears up the letter and banishes Ben and John from his plantation. Edward turns to his son, Gideon Brodess (Joe Alwyn) and says he would have sold Minty a long time ago if it weren’t for him. Rit cries and calls Edward the Devil. Upset, Minty runs away to the very tree where she had her last vision. She starts to rant and pray, asking GOD to take down Edward who is evil. Gideon appears and says “GOD don’t listen to Niggers”. He touches Minty, she brushes his hand off and he slaps her, then tells her a wicked story about pigs. He tells her she’s like a pig, one day you’ll have to eat it or sell it. A week later, Edward Brodess dies, leaving the plantation to his widow Eliza Brodess (Jennifer Nettles) and his elder son Gideon.

Gideon’s first order of business is to honor his father’s wishes by hanging “Negro slave girl for sale” flyers, made up to sell “Minty” South, away from her family.  Minty, who can’t read, has another spell/vision, which reveals her sale is soon to take place.  She instantly sees the urgency to run away to the North.  She tells her husband, who wants to run with her and reluctantly agrees to meet him at the outer gate as soon as she tells her father goodbye.  Minty passes by the field where slaves are working and starts to sing a code song “farewell”  that lets them know she is about to run.  Minty decides to run alone because she doesn’t want to jeopardize John’s freedom if caught.  John waits for Minty until dark, then realizes she’s not coming.  He starts walking back home to the plantation where he lives.  Gideon sees John and asks, “what are you doing here?” At the same time, a plantation hand catches up to Gideon and tells him Minty has run away.  Gideon now pulls a gun on John and demands to know where Minty is.  He strikes John when he answers he was just coming to see Minty and has no idea where she’s gone.

Meanwhile, Minty runs to her father’s house to tell him of her plans to run and gathers a few items.  Ben wouldn’t look at her in order to say he never set eyes on Minty. As a keepsake, he gives her a small talisman; a beautiful carving of a man’s head.  He also demands that she goes to see Rev. Green before leaving and ask him to pray for her journey. Rev. Green gives Minty directions to Wilmington, Del emphasizing, she has to be miles away before dawn. He also tells her, “fear is your enemy, keep faith in the Lord”, then gives her the name of a blacksmith, Thomas Garrett (Tim Guinee) to call on when she arrives.  As she leaves, he tells her to follow the North Star and if there are no stars, follow the river. If all else fails, follow GOD.

Focus Features’ website highlights the movie by saying, “Based on the thrilling and inspirational life of an iconic American freedom fighter, HARRIET tells the extraordinary tale of Harriet Tubman’s escape from slavery and transformation into one of America’s greatest heroes. Her courage, ingenuity, and tenacity freed hundreds of slaves and changed the course of history.

To find out the remainder of her story, see the movie, it’s really a very good film based in truth about a very real person.  Not everyone has had the privilege of learning Black History.  If you haven’t or if you don’t know about Harriet Tubman, you should see Harriet. Kasi Lemmons has done a good job of telling her story.  While I don’t think everything in this movie was exactly as things were, I do believe the very essence of Harriet’s life and passions were captured. I am unfamiliar with the young lady who played Harriet but I find her to be multi-talented and a brilliant actress. I heard the role was originally offered to Viola Davis but time went by and it never happened.  I also think Janelle Monae deserves acknowledgment for her brilliant performance as Marie Buchanon. This film is very well made.  Harriet received generally favorable reviews from critics, who praised Erivo’s performance and found the film sincere but formulaic. I found the film enlightening, well-acted and worthy of an Oscar nod. Check It Out!

[HARRIET is Oscar-nominated for Best Actress and Best Original Song]

 

MARY QUEEN OF SCOTS (2018) – My rating: 7.5/10

Mary Queen of Scots is a historical drama directed by Josie Rourke and written by Beau Willimon, based on John Guy’s biography, Queen of Scots: The True Life of Mary Stuart. This film is a period piece and takes place in the 1500s chronicling the 1569 conflict between Mary of Scotland and Elizabeth of England. It could be considered a tragedy based on a true story but historically incorrect which caused some adverse reviews from critics. However it’s a worth while film that I have mixed feelings about.

In 1561, nineteen-year-old Mary (Saoirse Ronan), Catholic Queen of Scotland, returns to her home country from France following the death of her husband, Francis II of France, to take up her throne. She is received by her half brother, the Earl of Moray (James McArdle). In neighboring England, her cousin, twenty-eight-year-old Elizabeth (Margot Robbie) is the Protestant Queen of England. She is unmarried, childless, and threatened by Mary’s potential claim to her throne. Mary soon clashes with the cleric John Knox (David Tennant) and dismisses him from her court. Knox is a protestant and leader of the Scottish Reformation and perceives Mary to be a danger to the kingdom’s Protestant supremacy.

Here we have two queens, which are also cousins, that are jealous of each other. One wants to be married with children so there’s an heir to the throne and the other never wants to be married or have children but is in love with her counselor, Robert Dudley (Joe Alwyn). Elizabeth is all about the business of running the country while Mary tries to have both, a family and run a country. The two queens play a game of chicken with each other in hopes one will yield. Mary admits she married the wrong man the first time around and has now repeated history with a new husband, Henry Stuart: Lord Darnley (Jack Lowden) who is atrocious [according to this film) in every way. Upon Darnley marrying Mary, she discovers him in bed with her friend and private secretary, David Rizzio (Ismael Cruz Córdova) the following morning. Faced with insurgency and infidelity, Mary decides to quash the rebel forces but spares both Rizzio and Moray. She demands Darnley give her a child. When a child is conceived, Mary declares that the child is the “heir to Scotland and England” — which deeply offends the English.

Of course there is so much more to this intriguing story but I must stop here, as not to give it away. What becomes of Mary, her husbands and her ploy to reign over England, Scotland and Ireland. I found Mary Queen of Scots extremely interesting and well acted. There is so much to take in — everything from adultery to beheadings. History dictates a slightly different version and the critics have picked up on the changes thus giving the film a scolding and deflated ratings. If you like period pieces, Check It Out!

[Queen of Scots is Oscar Nominated for Best Costume Design and Best makeup and Hairstyling]

 

THE FAVOURITE (2018) – My rating: 9.5/10

The Favourite is a period piece and a comedy-drama directed by Yorgos Lanthimos and written by Deborah Davis and Tony McNamara. It is a co-production by producers in Ireland, the United Kingdom and the United States. Set in the early 18th century, the story examines the relationship between two cousins vying to be court favourites of Queen Anne. The American Film Institute selected The Favourite as one of its top 10 films of 2018. Among other accolades, the film received five Golden Globe Award nominations, including Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy. My favorite category (no pun intended) of motion pictures to watch is a period piece. I’m more than glad I got to see The Favourite — It was brilliant.

In 1708, Britain is at war with France and a somewhat weakened Queen Anne (Olivia Coleman) is on the throne. Having been ill for some time, Queen Anne is frail and shows little interest in governing, instead she races ducks and plays with her 17 rabbits, each of which represents a child she has lost over the years. Her confidante, adviser and furtive lover, Sarah Churchill (Rachel Weisz), the Duchess of Marlborough, effectively rules the country through her influence on the eccentric Queen. Sarah’s efforts to control Anne are undermined only by Robert Harley (Nicholas Hoult), a Tory Member of Parliament and the 1st Earl of Oxford, who as a landowner, argues against a doubling of property taxes proposed in order to fund the war.  Life is good for Sarah.

****  SPOILERS BELOW  ****

Change comes when Abigail Hill (Emma Stone), Sarah’s impoverished younger cousin, arrives at Court in search of employment. Abigail’s standing is tainted by her father, who gambled away his good name and lost his daughter to a German in a card game. Abigail is initially forced to do menial work as a scullery maid in the palace, but after seeing the Queen’s condition, she fines an opportunity to ingratiate herself with Sarah and eventually, Queen Anne herself. Sarah picks herbs from the garden and formulates a paste to heal the Queen’s inflamed legs. Though she is initially punished by Sarah for her presumptuous actions, Sarah relents when she realises the remedy does ease the Queen’s suffering. In gratitude, Sarah makes Abigail her lady of the bedchamber.  In the meanwhile, Harley approaches Abigail, hoping to use her as a spy in order to find out what Sarah’s schemes are and figure out a way to circumvent her authority. Abigail initially rebuffs him, but soon she becomes aware of the secret lesbian relationship between Queen Anne and Sarah.

At this point the fun really begins, Sarah vs  Abigail vs Queen Anne.  I cannot say enough about the goings on in The Favourite palace.  I was thoroughly entertained.  I haven’t seen a period piece as lively, clever and as well executed since the 1988 movie, Dangerous Liaisons.  I don’t want to give away the whole movie, so I’ll stop here and hope that you will see it for yourself.  It’s no wonder The Favourite won so many awards and nominations, it’s brilliant.  There are quite a few twist and turns that you won’t see coming.  Who will win the controlling position between Sarah and Abigail?  My only criticism is the ending, which left me a little confused.  I would have liked the final action defined so that what was happening would be perfectly clear and not ambiguous or left to the imagination. At any rate, I wouldn’t be surprised if The Favourite takes home a few Oscars.  BTW: Olivia Colman won the Golden Globe for Best Actress — Check it Out!

[The Favourite is Oscar nominated for Best:  Picture, Actress, 2 Supporting Actress nominations, Director, Original Screenplay, Cinematography, Production Design, Custome Design and Film Editing] 

 

OPERATION FINALE (2018) – My rating: 8/10

Operation Finale is a historical drama, directed by Chris Weitz and screenplay by Matthew Orton. The film stars Oscar Isaac (who also produced).  I was anxious to see Operation Finale because I like learning about all that happened during the Holocaust. Most of these type films are brilliantly produced. Israeli spies from the Mossad work to track down and capture Adolf Eichmann.

** SPOILERS **

Peter Malkin (Oscar Isaac) an Israeli spy, was part of a team (Mossad) whose mission was to bring in a Nazi spy. The team abducted and shot the wrong man, who died outside his home, leaving his wife widowed and his children fatherless. Fast forward to 1960, Argentina — while at the movies, which featured “Imitation of Life“, a young girl named Sylvia Hermann (Haley Lu Richardson) encounters a young boy named Klaus Eichmann (Joe Alwyn) who was with friends seated in the back row of the theater. Klaus and his friends were making a bit of a ruckus, laughing loudly at the part of the movie when the daughter, passing for white, was discovered to be Black by her boyfriend.  Sylvia shushed them but only Klaus reacted by shushing her back. She repeated her action by shushing them again, only this time with a smile on her face. Klaus responded the same, also with a smile on his face. Later they met and started dating. Sylvia lived with her blind father, Lothar Hermann (Peter Strauss), who encouraged Sylvia to invite Klaus to dinner. During that dinner, Lothar questioned Klaus intently. When asked about his background, Klaus said that his father had died and his uncle took him in and raised him as if he were his very own son. He told of a grateful young man who had no place else to live. Soon after, word gets to Peter that they may have access to Adolf Eichmann (Ben Kingsley) who was one of Hitler’s masterminds and executioners of the Holocaust. Peter would have to convince his superior, Isser Harel (Lior Raz) who became the Director of Mossad, that this may very well be a legitimate find. Isser  informed Peter, after what happened with the last mission, he couldn’t afford to screw up another one on a blind man’s suspicions. Eventually, Peter received word that the operation was a go. The team went into action, taking pictures of Klaus’ home and encouraging Sylvia to get involved. While dating, Klaus takes Sylvia to a meeting at the home of a prominent Nazi. They started off with Champaign and individual conversations where Sylvia met Carlos Füldner (Pêpê Rapozale) who questioned her name and background. Fortunately, the meeting started, saving Sylvia by the bell. When the meeting turned radical and aggressive, Sylvia abruptly left, which ended any chance of dating Klaus in the future. Sylvia was instructed by the Mossad team to bring a present to Klaus as a peace offering in order to get Adolf out in the open. When Sylvia entered the house, she was greeted with kindness and respect as she presented the present and said she and Klaus had had a misunderstanding and this was her way of apologizing. Klaus was not there but when he showed up, he was nasty and wanted nothing to do with Sylvia. She eased out the door and hurriedly walked toward the spot where she was dropped off, only to find the car gone, so she kept walking to the bus station. Klaus decided to go after her and find out why she left the meeting. When asked Sylvia said she wasn’t feeling well, but Klaus knew that wasn’t true. He tried to determine what would really make her leave and came up with, she might be a Jew. She confirmed his suspicions and asked did that really matter. Klaus became angry and didn’t answer her, indicating he wanted no part of a relationship with Sylvia. Once the team had gathered enough evidence, the investigation was in full swing complete with a plan to snatch Adolf and hold him in a safe house until the team could expedite him to Israel.

Operation Finale is an intense Holocaust story of bravery and determination. The team (Hanna Elian (Melanie Laurent), Peter Malkin (Oscar Isaac), Rafi Eitan (Nick Kroll), Moshe Tabor (Greg Hill) and Zvi Aharoni (Michael Aronov ) who were still standing up against a Nazi regime had many problems protecting themselves as well as executing their mission. Since this is a true story, many may know of the details and end result. If you do not know, this movie is very enlightening. The story was well told and brilliantly acted. The film was released in the United States on August 29, 2018, and received mixed reviews from critics. If movies about the holocaust appeal to you, then this is a good one to check out.