A One Mann’s Movies Film Review of “Shirley” (2024).
Although not American, I tend to really enjoy films centred around US politics, with 1998’s “Primary Colors” being a particular favourite. Here then is “Shirley” from Netflix: a movie based on an amazing woman of colour called Shirley Chisholm who single-handedly took the patriarchy of Congress apart and then in 1972 set her sights on the highest office of all.
One Mann’s Movies Rating:
Plot Summary:
The film starts with Shirley Chisholm (Regina King) becoming the first woman of colour to be elected to US Congress. But she has higher ambitions and against all the finacial and racist hurdles thrown in her way, she runs for President of the United States.
Certification:
UK: 12; US: PG-13. (From the BBFC web site: Infrequent strong language, racism, moderate threat, brief real violence.)
Talent:
Starring: Regina King, Lance Reddick, Terrence Howard, Lucas Hedges, Michael Cherrie.
Directed by: John Ridley.
Written by: John Ridley.
Running Time: 1h 57m.
“Shirley” Film Review:
Positives:
- The movie is anchored by a phenomenal performance by Regina King in the titular role. She delivers the part with the same passion that the lady herself clearly had. There are many Oscar-worthy moments in the film. My favourite is when she rails at a young female activist – “If you only on the outside yelling and screaming, then all you’ll be is a yeller and a screamer”. So true. I’m not sure if this Netflix film was releaased ‘last year’ and thus overlooked by the Academy or whether it might still be in play for the 97th Academy Awards. If so, I could see a nomination for King for this part in the same vein as Colman Domingo was nominated for his role in another strong historical and black-politics movie – “Rustin” – from last year.
- There’s also a strong supporting performance from Lance Reddick in one of his last appearances before his untimely death from heart disease in March of last year. He was just 60 years old. What a sad loss to acting that was. Here he delivers a typically imposing performance. The film is dedicated to him. (Reddick also looks to have two more film appearences still to come out: “Ballerina” and “St. Sebastien”, both in post-production).
- The film amply portrays how far grit, determination and bloody mindedness can get you in life. As such, it’s a positive, life-affirming and empowering story for girls, and particularly girls of colour, to watch. It also makes you wonder why woman haven’t made more progress in 50 years of US politics. As things stand, only 29% of Congress currently identify as female and, of course, there has yet to be a female President.
Negatives:
- There’s one big problem with this film. I know there are British people who are utterly (UTTERLY!) clueless about US Politics: I see them from time to time on UK quiz shows like “Tipping Point”! But very few people will fail to know that Shirley Chisholm does NOT succeed in her efforts to become the US Presidential candidate for 1972. So there is an inevitable downer at the end of the film (and it is a downer). It’s a fait accompli for the viewer and you are just waiting for the fall. If I’d made the film I might have been tempted to do it as a work of ‘semi-fiction’: have Chishlm win the presidential nomination and then go on to become the first woman, and the first person of colour, to become president. Only then, after the triumphal music of the finale fades away, does the film peel back the onion to tell us that the film was absolutely true UP TO THIS POINT…. and then show the way that the dream fell apart. A ‘Sliding-Doors’ sort of film. I think that might have worked somewhat better than ‘playing it straight’.
Summary Thoughts on “Shirley”
I quite enjoyed this one, particularly in watching Regina King’s performance. But it did rather fizzle out and there has to be a partial failure in the film-making to make a biopic of such an impressive woman a bit dull. In summary… it’s OK. But if you’ve never seen “Primary Colors”…. put that on instead.
Where to Watch it (Powered by Justwatch)
Trailer for “Shirley”:
The trailer is here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hjBeKNHIdMY .
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