MARSHALL (2017) – My rating: 8.5/10

Marshall is a biographical drama directed by Reginald Hudlin and written by Michael and Jacob Koskoff and is based, in part, on the life of Thurgood Marshall – July 2, 1908 – January 24, 1993.  His original name was Thoroughgood, but he shortened it to Thurgood. His father, William Marshall, worked as a railroad porter, and his mother Norma, as a teacher; they instilled in him an appreciation for the United States Constitution and the rule of law.

Thurgood Marshall (Chadwick Boseman), who was the first African-American to be appointed to the position of Supreme Court Justice served from October 1967 until October 1991. He not only was the 96th justice but was famous for successfully arguing 29 of 32 cases before the Supreme Court, including Brown v. Board of Education, which resulted in the outlaw of racial segregation in schools.

The film focuses on one of the first cases of Thurgood’s career as a lawyer, working for the NAACP.  While Thurgood Marshall was not allowed to actually defend the case, (as ordered by The Judge – James Cromwell), he served as a non-speaking consultant, while Sam Friedman (Josh Gad), an insurance lawyer who teamed with Marshall, actually defended the accused in the State of Connecticut v. Joseph Spell (Sterling K. Brown). Eleanor Strubing (Kate Hudson) a rich, former model married to John Strubing (Jeremy Bobb), a successful advertising businessman accuses her chauffeur of rape and attempted murder for which he pleads not guilty.  After listening to Spell’s story, the NAACP decided to back him and put Marshall on the case.  Racism ran rampart throughout the trial. The reality that a Black man had his way with a White woman really showed in disgust on John Strubing’s face throughout the proceedings.  The judge did all that he could in favor of the victim.  This is a movie worth seeing, as it is well acted and a credit to the accomplishments of Thurgood Marshall. Below are 2 pictures of Thurgood taken in 1936, and 1967.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Marshall doesn’t depict Justice Marshall’s entire career and doesn’t highlight his best trials but does make the public aware of his brilliance and struggles along his legendary journey.  I really enjoyed Marshall although I wished they explored more of his life.  Check it out, there’s a lot here to learn.

Save

Save

Save

Save

STATE OF AFFAIRS – My rating: 7.5/10

An unlikely plot when 2 high ranking women decide to plot murder on the terrorist responsible for the death of their son/fiance.  In other words, revenge.  Alfre Woodard and Katherine Heigl are CIA and President of the United States, respectively.  Katherine Heigl plays Charleston Tucker, the CIA Official who was engaged to Aaron Payton, the President’s son, played by Mark Tallman.  Alfre Woodard plays President Constance Payton, a former war veteran and Courtney B. Vance plays the President’s husband, Marshall Payton.  For some reason, they were all together in Kabul, Afghanistan where they were attacked by a terrorist group lead by Omar Abdul Fatah.  Aaron was killed but the women were not.  It appears that their mission, going forward, is to kill any and everyone responsible for Aaron’s death.  There are many secrets yet to unfold.  While I love a good drama, I’m not sure this one is going to make it.  There’s  nothing wrong with the acting or the characters, except I’d hate to think that the President’s main agenda is revenge, yet I was happy when we took down Osama Bin Laden.

The pilot features  Dr. Benjamin Butler who is working in Africa and who resembles the President’s dead son, Aaron.  While in Kenya, the doctor and his colleagues were kidnapped and threatened with decapatation by a newly formed terrorist group.  In the meanwhile, the mission to take down the  much sorted after Omar Abdul Fatah, already targeted and  in clear site of a US ground military strike team (MI6) was called off by CIA Official, Charleston, in favor of rescuing Dr. Butler instead.  It wasn’t quite clear if the mission was redirected in favor of saving the doctor over killing Fatah because of the doctor’s resemblence to Aaron or Charlie’s  explanation “waiting 6 months would allow us to get Fatah and his entire network instead of just Fatah”.  A lot of risky business here.  It’s worth waiting to see what happens in the next few weeks.  One thing is clear, there is more going on than meets the eye.  A relationship was introduced between Charlie and Nick Vera (Chris McKenna) a CIA asset who worked for Charlie and is keeping a secret regarding Fatah.  There seems to be an obvious resentment between the two despite their romantic involvement.  Nick has been “dark” for over a year.  Secret photos that suggest Charlie and Nick are semi quasi partners in crime are repeatedly sent to Charlie’s cell phone.  Charlie does not remember all that happened the day Aaron was killed.  Her therapist is suggesting that Charlie is blocking out something she doesn’t want to remember.

I find this series a little ambiguous and I don’t think it’s very authentic.  The busyness of the Presidential Staff and the ambiance of the White House is missing.  Scenes like the President walking away from her son’s grave site, after speaking at a memorial, without visual body guards or Charlie being the President’s Daily Briefer which in real life is done by the Director of Intelligence, which is totally separate from the CIA and the fact that we don’t really ever see any of the Joint Chiefs of Staff,  gives support to the unofficial look and feel of this White House.   Also, there are a lot of black women e.g., Angela Bassett, Viola Davis, Kimberly Elise, Thandie Newton or Jenifer Lewis,  I feel would have made a more believable US President — it’s not an acting thing, it’s the unnaturalness and the energy I find lacking.    State of Affairs airs on NBC.  I still think it has potential.