Bayard Rustin

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.

The prevailing thought I had watching Rustin was that the events depicted were probably exactly how they happened in real life. If this were a documentary that'd be fine but as an actual narrative it just made the whole thing feel very surface level. It has none of the style of movies like Selma or BlackkKlansman which made their depictions of this period so captivating to watch. I don't think the film tackles the civil rights issue in any interesting way and while Bayard Rustin's story absolutely deserves to be told I don't think its importance comes through in the finished product. The whole march that the film is building up to just comes and goes before it has a chance to have any impact. Colman Domingo is great, he absolutely does justice to this character and makes the film at least watchable but he deserved a much better script. An important story in and of itself doesn't create for a good narrative without any kind of vision and that's sorely what Rustin was lacking for me.

Rustin is a well-intentioned but ultimately flawed biopic that fails to capture the full scope and significance of Bayard Rustin's contributions to the Civil Rights Movement. Despite a strong performance by Colman Domingo, the film is hampered by a disjointed narrative, underdeveloped characters, and lackluster direction. While it brings some much-needed attention to an important historical figure, it falls short of providing a compelling and cohesive cinematic experience. With it's disappointing effort that squanders the potential of its fascinating subject matter. The film's uneven execution and lack of narrative clarity make it a missed opportunity to honor the legacy of Bayard Rustin in a way that resonates deeply with audiences.

My Review - Rustin Streaming on Netflix My Rating 8/10

Former President Barak Obama and wife Michelle who founded their Higher Ground Production Company in 2018 are Executive Producers of this informative and entertaining portrait of an unsung hero of the American Civil Rights movement .

Bayard Rustin who is played so impressively by Colman Domingo was key to organising the historic 1963 Peaceful march on Washington to the Lincoln Memorial when an estimated 200,000 to 300,000 people gathered to advocate for the civil rights and economic rights of African Americans.

The final speaker on that momentous day was Dr Martin Luther King Jnr a close friend and ally of Bayard Rustin . He is portrayed in the movie Rustin by Aml Ameen who also delivers an impressive performance .

On that historic day in 1963 in Washington at The Lincoln Memorial Dr Martin Luther King gave his famous "I Have a Dream " speech which called for an end to racism and the bigotry associated with it.

While his historic speech made headlines around the world standing quietly behind his friend Dr Martin Luther King stood the hero of this Netflix series Bayard Rustin and it soon becomes obvious why .

Bayard Rustin the gay Afro American man who organised the March wasn't even listed as a speaker and was allotted less than 30 seconds to summarise the demands made by the leaders who spoke before him.

He was still there long after all the other people who took a turn at the podium retired for the night Bayard Rustin was still there, directing 500 volunteers in a strenuous cleaning effort to leave the National Mall better than they'd found it.

Fifty years after that momentous March In August 2013 President Obama chose civil rights leader Bayard Rustin to posthumously receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom. He said this recognition is long overdue. While the achievements of fellow recipients are related to the expansion of liberty in its broadest sense, this high honor fits Rustin to a tee.

The movie Rustin interested me because of two civil rights issues because Bayard Rustin as well as being an African-American leader in social movements for civil rights, socialism, and nonviolence, also helped secure gay rights especially towards the end of his life .

In this movie which deals more concerning the events leading up to the Washington March we see the blatant homophobia that existed even within the Afro American community that Rustin advocated so strongly for. His enemies within and without his community gossiped and vilified him attempting to disassociate themselves from his activism and organisational skills because of the stigma surrounding his sexuality.

Later in his life Bayard Rustin made his famous quote on Gay Civil Rights after the Civil Rights Bill was passed on the 2nd of July 1964 by then President Lyndon Johnson he said .

The barometer for judging the character of people, in regard human rights, is now those who consider themselves gay, homosexual, lesbian. The judgment as to whether you can trust the future, the social advancement - depending on people - will be judged on where they come out on that question.

In 1982 Bayard Rustin was very concerned about protecting his life partner Walter Naegle's financial and civil rights.

At that time gay people had no protection at all and marriage between a same-sex couple was inconceivable.

So Bayard Rustin legally adopted Walter Naegle 30 years his junior in 1982 because that was the only thing they could do to legalise their relationship.

I recommend this very entertaining movie it's an impressive cast and introduced me to an impressive man who at last like the late English mathematician Alan Turing who is now credited with helping end the 2nd World War .

Both men remained unsung heroes who because of their sexuality were vilified and ignored and not honoured until long after their deaths.

Bayard Rustin is one of the most overlooked figures in the Civil Rights movement of the 1960s, even though he was a key organizer of the Martin Luther King's March On Washington in 1963. George C. Wolfe's movie goes the pretty standard bio-pic route focused on the months leading up to the march, buoyed by a galvanizing performance by Colman Domingo in the title role.

Julian Breece and Dustin Lance Black's script hits the main points along the way and fills in some of the details of Rustin's personal life, including his sexuality and his outspokeness - even to fellow civil rights leaders. Domingo keeps the movie going even when the storytelling doesn't project much momentum. His gregarious acting is infectious and uplifts his fellow cast members - there are times when even MLK Jr. (Aml Ameen) seems like a dullard by comparison! RUSTIN fictionalizes some aspects of the true story, unfortunately. And, Chris Rock is mis-cast as the NAACP's Roy Wilkins (probably for marquee value).

Fortunately, when Domingo is on screen, the movie breathes. He brings the character to life. The March itself is deftly told on a budget, and still brings the emotion from the rally all these decades later.