Free State of Jones Film Review - Powerfully charged and gripping drama, based on actual events
My favorite kind of films are those based on fact. This is a powerfully charged, gripping drama and a film based on actual events.
A film is of a very dark piece of American history, a disturbing tale of survival, faith and perseverance, a raw film about somebody standing up for themselves against the odds.
Civil War medic, Newton Knight (played by Matthew McConaughey) deserts his post to take his dead sons remains (who was also a young soldier) back home. When arriving back he discovers that the Confederacy are commissioning almost all the people's crops and hogs for their troops, and so Newton decides to take a stand with as many effected local people and slaves to help him as he could muster.
Definitely not light viewing, this shows the struggle against an unfair and dictatorial regime and the struggle for anyone who was standing up for their simple rights and for freedom.
The performances from everyone involved are convincing, particularly McConaughey, Mahershala Ali and Gugu Mbatha-Raw with some strong emotional scenes.
The racial-harmony aspect is also a strong and important theme, with the McConaughey, Gugu Matha-Raw flourishing interracial relationship ending in a son. Flash forwards in time, there are some very effective courtroom scenes, where the great, great (not sure how many greats) grandson is in court because he wants to marry a white girl, though it's illegal due to his eighth black heritage. Highly recommended.
8/10.
A film is of a very dark piece of American history, a disturbing tale of survival, faith and perseverance, a raw film about somebody standing up for themselves against the odds.
Civil War medic, Newton Knight (played by Matthew McConaughey) deserts his post to take his dead sons remains (who was also a young soldier) back home. When arriving back he discovers that the Confederacy are commissioning almost all the people's crops and hogs for their troops, and so Newton decides to take a stand with as many effected local people and slaves to help him as he could muster.
Definitely not light viewing, this shows the struggle against an unfair and dictatorial regime and the struggle for anyone who was standing up for their simple rights and for freedom.
The performances from everyone involved are convincing, particularly McConaughey, Mahershala Ali and Gugu Mbatha-Raw with some strong emotional scenes.
The racial-harmony aspect is also a strong and important theme, with the McConaughey, Gugu Matha-Raw flourishing interracial relationship ending in a son. Flash forwards in time, there are some very effective courtroom scenes, where the great, great (not sure how many greats) grandson is in court because he wants to marry a white girl, though it's illegal due to his eighth black heritage. Highly recommended.
8/10.
Comments
Post a Comment