Rustin

This is the type of biopics that I like, the story of those historical figures whose epics we do not know because they were so long ago. Colman Domingo shines alone as Bayard Rustin, with a unique performance worthy of applause.

But apart from that, I think the film takes too much refuge in a conventional style, when it could have been much bigger. The story of Rustin and Dr. King is the kind of story that could be talked about for hours and hours, and on screen we could have seen more fundamental aspects of their relationship and a more powerful conclusion.

It is an enjoyable film because of Colman Domingo's performance and the story of those we should not forget, like Rustin.

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.

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)

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.

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.