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 wish that I could give this movie more than 10. The way this story is presented is to take a walk back in time and then slowly come forward experiencing every iota of existence.Every joy, every pain, every hurt, every anger, every disdain, every disgust. A strong narrative that fuels emotions in persons so far removed from the situation.It is disheartening to think that men like Thurgood Marshall are so easily forgotten by the upcoming generations. His journey is one of true patriotism and a labor of love and compassion and courage to wage on in the face of all who dare stop him. Like those before him and those hopefully after him, he fought to show the black man that the dark richness of the skin was never a curse even the world around him said it was and treated him as an incurable plague.

Even though absolutely correct and valid, I was expecting a preachy diatribe of race relations and political correctness. I expected to be preached to and I would be the choir.

But it was an engrossing and entertaining document of a man's life with the backdrop of early 20th century history. Although long, it never felt boring.

Less is more and was perfectly staged.

I'm on the fence with Fishburn's performance. Easily an 8 out of 10. I think a little push with nuance would have pushed it to a 9. But anyone who takes on this role and does what he did deserves praise.

(I was surprised that they left in when he addressed the latecomers to the audience. But it worked well.)

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.

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.