Project 365 – Day 45

Checkout the profile of people in this photo.  It’s virtually an equal blend of color.

Kathy and I saw “Selma” on Valentine’s Day.  We only make it to the theater a few times a year.  Once we decided on celebrating the day with a movie, we were stumped on what to see.  “Selma” is winding it’s way out of the theaters, so we zeroed in on it.

It is a riveting story of Martin Luther King, Jr. and the march on Selma, AL.  Everything about it was excellent!  Firstly, the character portrayals struck an amazing balance of likeness with those whom they were playing, yet without becoming caricatures.  David Oyelowo (Martin Luther King, Jr.) was extremely impressive, especially knowing he is not American.  Tom Wilkinson (LBJ) was also fantastic, as were many others.  Secondly, the nation has come a very long way.  There’s more to do, obviously, but the movie gave sobering insight into just how cruelly prejudiced many people were in the mid-60’s.  Thirdly, I am always enamored by leaders for whom their cause is bigger than they are.  “Selma” highlighted the personal turmoil and sacrifice King endured regarding faith and his family.  We often oversimplify history in our minds, assuming heroes were ever-strong, confident, and victorious in their convictions.  This movie humanized King, showing that he had naturally understandable doubts, fears, and vulnerabilities.  Like each of us, he was imperfect.  But he overcame imperfection by leaning on faith, trusted friends, and his purpose.

Highly recommended.

AMC Movie Theater

Fuji X100s, 23mm f/2.0, 1/100 sec @ f/4.0, ISO2500

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