Rustin

Unsung heroes often don't get their day. Fortunately, however, for civil rights activist Bayard Rustin (Colman Domingo), principal organizer of the 1963 March on Washington, he's finally getting his due in this new biopic about the many challenges he faced in bringing this event into being. The flamboyant, outspoken, Black gay organizer faced much opposition to his proposal, including, surprisingly enough, from an African-American community that was apprehensive about the message his appointment and presence would send to a still-reluctant public in its support for equal rights measures, including such noteworthy figures as NAACP leader Roy Wilkins (Chris Rock) and Congressman Adam Clayton Powell Jr. (Jeffrey Wright). Things were even tense at times between Rustin and his longtime friend, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. (Aml Ameen), for whom Rustin once served as his chief aide and advisor. Then there was Rustin's sexual orientation, a matter he didn't exactly hide, especially in his less-than-discreet relationship with married preacher Elias Taylor (Johnny Ramey), something other activists feared could undo all the progress they had made up to that time. But, as a determined champion, Rustin forged ahead, despite these hardships, culminating in the largest peaceful protest ever staged in the nation's capital. To the film's credit, director George C. Wolfe has compiled an informative period piece biography, even if the approach is somewhat conventional and, admittedly, gets off to a rather rocky start in the first half hour. However, that's made up for by a strong second half and the picture's powerhouse cast, including Domingo (a strong Oscar nominee contender), Wright and Ameen, as well as Glynn Turman and CCH Pounder in fine supporting performances. While this offering may not be everything it could have been, "Rustin" nevertheless reminds us of what so many people fought so hard to achieve - and why it's so important that we strive to protect those accomplishments against backsliding and those who might seek to undermine the fulfillment of those much-cherished attainments.

Over the past few years there has been numerous, very good films detailing the tumultuous times of the 1960's - and many of them have been Oscar Nominated. From THE TRIAL OF THE CHICAGO 7 to JUDAS AND THE BLACK MESSIAH to SELMA, one can get quite a history education by watching these films.

Add to this, RUSTIN, with Colman Domingo Oscar Nominated for portraying the titular character, Bayard Rustin - a gay, black man - who Organized the famed March on Washington in 1963.

Colman is a deserved Oscar Nominee for portraying a character that is strong in his beliefs - including his sexual preferences - and is not afraid to let anyone know that he believes that African-Americans...and homosexuals...deserve equal rights under the law.

Being both Black AND Gay in the 1960's in America is not an easy thing to endure.

And so this film tells us. Again...and again...and again. Such to the point that one loses the main thrust of the film - the pivotal March on Washington that was a seminal moment in the 1960's Civil Rights Movement - and, instead gets bogged down in the Soap Opera-y antics of a philandering, gay black man. And...this is too bad for Director George C. Wolfe (MA RAINEY'S BLACK BOTTOM) has the makings of a strong, effective film - with a charismatic, engrossing central performance - but loses the way of the film as it descends into melodrama.

And, perhaps, that is the film that Wolfe wanted to make all along, but it comes at the detriment of the larger themes that could have been mined.

Clearly many in the African-American Performing Community thought highly of the project to appear in small, almost cameo, roles. From fellow 2023 Oscar Nominees Jeffrey Wright (for AMERICAN FICTION) to Da'Vine Joy Randolph (THE HOLDOVERS) to Chris Rock, Audra McDonald, CCH Pounder and Glynn Turman, one could feel to star power on the screen.

If only Director Wolfe and screenwriters Julian Breece and Dustin Lance Black had given them a better vehicle to star in.

The themes were there, they were just missed.

Letter Grade: B (solid performances for Domingo and others)

7 stars (out of 10) and you can take that to the Bank(ofMarquis)

It's a narrowly focused biopic on Bayard Rustin's (Colman Domingo) lead role in planning the famous 1963 March of Washington for Jobs and Freedom. The film opens with scant background about the Civil Rights movement, Rustin's friendship with Martin Luther King Jr. (Aml Ameen), and the subsequent temporary break in their relationship in 1960 when rumors surface about a possible sexual relationship because of Rustin's known homosexuality.

The bulk of the movie then shifts to Rustin's drive in 1963 to make the March on Washington happen despite the resistance of some Civil Rights leaders like Roy Wilkins (Chris Rock) and Adam Clayton Powell Jr. (Jeffrey Wright). "Rustin" also highlights the complexities caused in that era because of Rustin's relationships with his assistant, Tom Kahn (Gus Halper), and a married minister, Elias Taylor (Johnny Ramey). Many prominent Civil Rights and union leaders appear briefly as characters in the film.

"Rustin" is a brave attempt to honor an often-forgotten Civil Rights leader. Colman Domingo is excellent. He portrays a gifted, extroverted organizer who is unapologetic about his sexuality but recognizes the danger his orientation presents to the movement. Ameen, Rock, and Wright are also good in their roles, as is CCH Pounder as labor organizer Anna Hedgeman.

"Rustin" begs for more background on why Rustin was so important to Martin Luther King Jr. Rustin, a Quaker pacifist, had an enormous impact on King's emerging philosophy of non-violent resistance. This impact is inadequately addressed. Also, more history on Rustin's philosophical development, marginally hinted at in a few flashbacks, would have strengthened the story.

Nonetheless, "Rustin" is worth an evening's watch.

I had no idea who Bayard Rustin was before this 2023 historical film, but now I know he was the primary orchestrator of the 1963 March on Washington, a peaceful protest attended by over 250,000 people and made mythic by Martin Luther King, Jr.'s "I Have a Dream" speech. Aml Ameen does a fine job capturing King's quiet assurance and fiery rhetoric, but the film is elevated by Colman Domingo's galvanizing performance in the title role. His fearless turn brings heart and soul to an essential figure in the civil rights movement hidden away because of not only his previous Communist ties but his openness as a gay man years before Stonewall. Directed by George C. Wolfe, the film itself is not quite as strong as Domingo's work because the multitude of key players flattens the storyline somewhat and makes even the march Itself feel a bit episodic. At the same time, Wolfe doesn't overreach by making this a full blown biography and smartly focuses on two incidents prior to the planning of the unprecedented protest. For that key reason as well as Domingo, the movie is essential viewing.

Rustin is another extremely conventional biopic about a person who was anything but that. It remains really good thanks to a central performance more than capable of single-handedly carrying the film and the fact that its story, even when told conventionally, is incredibly powerful.

Shining a spotlight on someone who did the extraordinary without being remembered like his peers, Colman Domingo delivers a perfect performance that's endlessly charming. Dustin Lance Black and Julian Breece create a screenplay that gives Domingo plenty of speeches which he performs in a way that never feels showy, always heartfelt and real.

The best aspect of George C. Wolfe's direction is the pacing. It moves fast without ever feeling rushed and is always further ahead than it seems. Branford Marsalis' jazz heavy score really works, reflecting the chaos of trying to arrange a march of this scale as well as the way all the leaders bounce off each other.