Movie Review: The life of struggle icon
ACTOR Idris Elba is not a very convincing Nelson Mandela, however the attempt was honourable.
Elba gives audiences of Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom an exceptional Madiba accent that so many identify the struggle icon with. Some people only know of Mandela’s public persona as an elderly statesman who was loved by many, but in the movie audiences are introduced to the other side of the dignified peacemaker. The young Mandela is depicted as humorous, defiant and a ladies man.
Naomi Harris, who plays Winnie Mandela, is a force to be reckoned with. She brilliantly embodies Winnie’s transition from the time she met and fell in love with Mandela to how she changed while Mandela was in prison. The movie feels like two stories told in one; the one part of the movie tells Mandela’s story and the other half tells Winnie’s story.
The movie is honest in that it does not paint Mandela as a saint; audiences get to see Mandela’s moments of weakness and his moments of strength. The movie leaves a lot to be thought about in the end. How the movie depicts Tata’s charm, intelligence, wit and wisdom is exciting to watch throughout. The movie captures the beloved Tata’s idealistic nature that many love and know so well.
The entire production is well put together even though it feels like the director wanted to capture as much of Mandela’s life in the three hours, that most of the scenes felt rushed and needed further elaboration. The cinematography is excellent and the soundtrack is amazing.
One can tell that a lot of respect and heart went into the movie’s production. It is a beautiful story, beautifully told.
