In his Rustin film review, Kevin Bourne says the film is a reminder of how far we’ve come, but also how much things haven’t changed at all.
The story of Martin Luther King Jr. has been told over and over again on the big screen, but what we haven’t seen are films about the other architects of the civil rights movement who also fought for equality. That’s until now.
Executive produced by Barack and Michelle Obama, Rustin tells the story of civil rights strategist and March On Washington organizer, Bayard Rustin (Colman Domingo), and his mission of freedom and peace. It follows a number of highly inspirational, David vs. Goliath, defying the odds type films screened at TIFF this year.
The film opens with eerie slow motion reenactments of key moments in civil rights history, which were made famous in photographs, bringing them to life and giving context for the times; almost as if they were lambs to the slaughter. The film then provides a behind the scenes look at how the march came about, as well as his close friendship with Dr. King (Aml Ameen). While Dr. King and Rustin parted ways for a time after a falling out, they eventually realize that they are intertwined and that while they can do good work on their own, America needs them to work together.
Domingo and Ameen portray the pair as having a deep level of mutual respect and a valuing of what the other is able to do. But while his contemporaries fought a hard fight as African Americans in the pursuit of civil rights, Rustin was forced to fight an additional fight as a gay man in the early 1960’s; a fight that forced him into the background of the fight for equal rights. He is portrayed as a charismatic, intelligent and magnetic leader, who may have been regarded as one of America’s great civil rights leaders if not for his sexuality.
What makes this one of the more unique civil rights movies we’ve seen to date is that although history remembers Dr. King, and his “I Have A Dream” speech, as the central figure in the March On Washington, in Rustin he’s a supporting character and more of a figure head while Rustin is seen as the visionary and architect making things move behind the scenes.
What also makes this film different is that most civil rights films inevitably depict the assassination of Dr. King, but Rustin is a different kind of movie. It’s a story about bravery, freedom, triumph, and a dream. While Dr. King’s dream was for an equal society, Rustin’s dream was the march itself and an extension of King’s dream as people of all races and religion’s came together in peace for one day.
The story is anchored by an impressive cast, led by Domingo who shows he is capable as a leading man. Chris Rock lending his star power to tole of NAACP executive director Roy Wilkins was unnecessary and took away more from the film that it added (although it’s always nice to see Rock in a non-comedic role). Ameen, who arguably has the closest physical resemblance to King than any actor we’ve seen before, effortlessly delivered one of the better onscreen portrayals of Dr. King as Martin Luther King Jr. the civil rights leader took a backseat to Martin the friend.
Director George C. Wolfe‘s roots in theatre were evident as some scenes, including those in the march head office, had the vibrancy of a theatre production, whether through the shots, the jazz heavy soundtrack, or through the on screen performances of Domingo and Johnny Ramey, who played Rustin’s conflicted love interest Elias Taylor.
From the acting to the writing and directing, it’s a award nomination worthy film, and a new and refreshing perspective on a pivotal moment in American and Black history. For Black audiences, it’s an moment to renew our sense of pride as we look back at a time when Black people were first learning to be loud and proud about their Blackness. For everyone else, it’s an opportunity to better understand the struggle of Black people. Perhaps more than anything, it’s a reminder of how far we’ve come as a society, but also home much things haven’t changed at all.
SHIFTER editor and Senior Entertainment Reporter, Kevin Bourne, is a Toronto-based entertainment journalist focusing on Black music and film & TV. He was named one of 310 international voters for the 81st Golden Globe Awards by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association and a Tomatometer-Approved Critic by Rotten Tomatoes.
Related content:
TIFF 2023 – TOMMY LEE JONES AND JAMIE FOXX SHINE IN INSPIRATIONAL DOWN SOUTH LEGAL DRAMA THE BURIAL