Thurgood

I know this came out for Black History month in the U.S., and it's right on target: illuminate a pivotal figure from our national past who was an African American. Show both the obstacles overcome and the world-changing effect achieved. That's a fine formula, and it works.

But George Stevens has gone beyond the formula, and this monologue, by the amazing Laurence Fishburne as Thurgood Marshall, with slide-show and lighting effects, is surprisingly powerful. They shine their light into some of America's darkest places, yet retain humor and hope. Fishburne uses all his registers, and is a delight to watch, as he persuades you that you are in the presence of the man who, with his argument in Brown v. Board of Education, triggered the end of legal segregation in the U.S, who became the Supreme Court's first African-American member. And who gives you all the context of that life.

If you let yourself, through a spell woven by the spoken word and evocative images on the wall behind the sparsely furnished set, you'll be transported into the life and world of Thurgood Marshall. It's entertaining, enlightening and ... over too soon.

I am still glowing from the distinct pleasure of having watched Laurence Fishburne so thoroughly realize a very intriguing and important figure in the civil rights struggle, Thurgood Marshall, the first African-American Chief Justice of the Supreme Court.

Laurence Fishburne has indeed come a long way from Cornbread, Earl, and Me. He made his mark in his compelling portrayal of a struggling African-American father with fierce integrity in Boyz In the Hood and since then he has more than become the consummate actor. He has maintained an air of integrity around him and his characterizations regardless of the weaknesses seem to possess at the very least a measure of dignity.

This performance can certainly be counted as an accomplishment. Understanding of the world then is made very personal and thus very easy to relate to. Fisburne wonderfully exemplifies Marshall's strengths and poignantly reveals his weaknesses in this intriguing, very informative, difficult, colloquial, sad, and funny one-man show. The wonderful photography and sound effects combine to make for a compelling evening of theater. Fishburne is in his element portraying the very human and ultimately exceptional example of leadership in the fight for civil rights. I was a teenager when Marshall was appointed in the 60s and can assure you it was indeed a VERY tumultuous time. It was eerie trying to celebrate and appreciate the magnitude of this progress while cities were going up in flames all around you.....and on a fairly regular basis.

.....obviously this was far more than an excellent theater production for me.....but isn't this just what good art form is supposed to do?!! :0) I highly recommend this as not only an excellent one-man show with a tour-de-force performance but as more than a worthy addition to any movie library! It has something to say to ANY disenfranchised community.

An unexpected pleasure awaited me as I began to view this almost two hour quasi-soliloquy about a pretty non-political guy who somehow got thrust into politics anyway, just because he wanted to see fairness and equality served and not double standard-ed. I don't know whose idea it was to portray this biographical account in this unusual manner, but it most assuredly held my attention for its duration.

Enter Laurence Fishburne, hair permed, dyed and fashioned ala Mr. Marshall, as our sole actor in this film. His chronological account of Mr. Marshall's life was rife with laid-back, humorous, yet firm depictions of events that shaped our central character's life, and to some degree, all our lives. Mr. Fishburne's demeanor throughout this piece was so comfortable and relaxed, I wondered at times had Thurgood himself crept back to Earth and infused himself into our actor's psyche to help him along with this account of his life. Also, I wondered if this show was cut and edited in a couple spots, just to give Mr. Fishburne a break in this seemingly non-stop monologue!

Credit is also due the Stevens' guys for setting the unusual tone here, with aptly placed snippets of historical dialog and subtle background scene settings to buttress these accounts that were adjunct to Thurgood's life. In conclusion, a fitting addition, indeed, for Black History month.

I am still glowing from the distinct pleasure of having watched Laurence Fishburne so thoroughly realize a very intriguing and important figure in the civil rights struggle, Thurgood Marshall, the first African-American Chief Justice of the Supreme Court.

Laurence Fishburne has indeed come a long way from Cornbread, Earl, and Me. He made his mark in his compelling portrayal of a struggling African-American father with fierce integrity in Boyz In the Hood and since then he has more than become the consummate actor. He has maintained an air of integrity around him and his characterizations regardless of the weaknesses seem to possess at the very least a measure of dignity.

This performance can certainly be counted as an accomplishment. Understanding of the world then is made very personal and thus very easy to relate to. Fisburne wonderfully exemplifies Marshall's strengths and poignantly reveals his weaknesses in this intriguing, very informative, difficult, colloquial, sad, and funny one-man show. The wonderful photography and sound effects combine to make for a compelling evening of theater. Fishburne is in his element portraying the very human and ultimately exceptional example of leadership in the fight for civil rights. I was a teenager when Marshall was appointed in the 60s and can assure you it was indeed a VERY tumultuous time. It was eerie trying to celebrate and appreciate the magnitude of this progress while cities were going up in flames all around you.....and on a fairly regular basis.

.....obviously this was far more than an excellent theater production for me.....but isn't this just what good art form is supposed to do?!! :0)

I highly recommend this as not only an excellent one-man show with a tour-de-force performance but as more than a worthy addition to any movie library! It has something to say to ANY disenfranchised community.

First of all, I was surprised to find out that this HBO movie was actually not a movie but a play that simply had been recorded. I guess I never bothered to do some research. I learned about "Thurgood" when I was watching the Emmys (Fishburne was nominated for his role as the civil rights -legal- activist). It definitely took me a few minutes to figure out why Thurgood Marshall was on a stage in the opening scene.

Being quite familiar with the background and jurisprudence of Justice Marshall, I found that this play was an accurate depiction of the life and time on the bench of this great progressive judge.

The reason I am giving this play/movie an 8 is because of Laurence Fishburne. He OWNS this performance. At times, I forgot I was watching a well-known actor. He merged into his character and played this great and lively man without overacting. A tour de force for Fishburne.

Fishburne carries this production by himself for over 1:30 hours but we never get tired of his presence on stage.

I also appreciated the simplicity of the set, which included only a chair, a table and a few accessories. There was nothing to distract us from Fishburne's performance.

It most certainly makes sense to have a one-man play about the life of Thurgood Marshall, considering that Justice Marshall was such a unique and interesting character.

I hope that eventually, we do get to see a movie (or "real" TV movie) on the life of Justice Marshall. Every American ought to know about the first African-American to be appointed to the United States Supreme Court and his legacy.