Loving

Name: Loving
Genre: Biography, Drama, History, Romance
Released: November 4, 2016
Duration: 123 min
Rating: 79
Cast: Joel Edgerton, Ruth Negga

2016

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Generally favorable reviews based on 46 Critic Reviews

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Generally favorable reviews based on 119 Ratings

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7.2	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 119 Ratings

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Loving

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Movie Details & Credits

Focus Features | Release Date: November 4, 2016 | PG-13

Starring: Joel Edgerton, Ruth Negga

Summary: Loving celebrates the real-life courage and commitment of an interracial couple, Richard and Mildred Loving (Joel Edgerton and Ruth Negga), who married and then spent the next nine years fighting for the right to live as a family in their hometown. Their civil rights case, Loving v. Virginia, went all the way to the Supreme Court, which inLoving celebrates the real-life courage and commitment of an interracial couple, Richard and Mildred Loving (Joel Edgerton and Ruth Negga), who married and then spent the next nine years fighting for the right to live as a family in their hometown. Their civil rights case, Loving v. Virginia, went all the way to the Supreme Court, which in 1967 reaffirmed the very foundation of the right to marry - and their love story has become an inspiration to couples ever since.… Expand

Director: Jeff Nichols

Genre(s): Biography, Drama, History, Romance

Rating: PG-13

Runtime: 123 min

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Critic Reviews

100

Lawrence Toppman

Nov 22, 2016

Sometimes a movie speaks loudest when nobody raises a voice. I can’t remember a single scene of fierce denunciation, fervid declaration of righteousness, act of violence or shouting match in Loving. Yet it lands with as much impact as any movie you’ll see this year. Read full review

Manohla Dargis

Nov 3, 2016

Mr. Nichols’s most distinct aesthetic choice is the movie’s quietness and the hush that envelops its first scene and that eventually defines the Lovings as much as their accents, gestures, manners and battles. Read full review

Kate Taylor

Nov 10, 2016

Mainly the director’s decision to eschew the pulpit in favour of the parishioners pays off handsomely, creating an unaffected yet touching account of this civil-rights victory. Read full review

Stephanie Zacharek

May 20, 2016

Nichols—director of Take Shelter, Mud and, most recently, Midnight Special—tells the Lovings’ story in a way that feels immediate and modern, and not just like a history lesson. Read full review

James Berardinelli

Nov 12, 2016

Loving is an important and interesting motion picture but it’s not always as involving as it might have been. Read full review

Brian Truitt

Nov 2, 2016

For the most part a no-frills, almost sedate affair, the drama finds its real power in two strong lead performances. Read full review

The Guardian Peter Bradshaw

May 20, 2016

Here is a film with its heart in the right place, an anatomical correctness coexisting with heartfelt, forthright conviction and an admirable belief in the virtue of simplicity and underplaying.... But this restraint sometimes sags into a kind of absence, and means the film itself is a bit rhetorically underpowered. Read full review

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User Reviews

Seymour_Movies

Dec 11, 2016

I may be biased toward Jeff Nichols' movies because I love everything he does, but I think he did it again. This is an emotional story that is done justice by tasteful directing and unreal performances by Edgerton and Negga with help from an amazing support cast. This movie is as importantI may be biased toward Jeff Nichols' movies because I love everything he does, but I think he did it again. This is an emotional story that is done justice by tasteful directing and unreal performances by Edgerton and Negga with help from an amazing support cast. This movie is as important and relevant as ever.… Expand

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GreatMartin

Nov 16, 2016

Richard Loving loved his wife Mildred and she loved him but never once in the movie “Loving” do they say “I love you,” in words. The way they look at each other, touch each other, lean on each other, interact with each other shows those three words more than saying it would. At one pointRichard Loving loved his wife Mildred and she loved him but never once in the movie “Loving” do they say “I love you,” in words. The way they look at each other, touch each other, lean on each other, interact with each other shows those three words more than saying it would. At one point Richard tells a lawyer that he should tell the Supreme Court that he loves her and in a scene that will have you holding your breath not by what is said but how Mildred looks at Richard after she hears the decision tells you more than heavy love making or sex scenes could.

Based on a true story the only thing ‘Hollywood’ about “Loving” is that Loving is the real name of the White man and Black woman who drive to Washington D. C. to get married as at that time it was illegal to marry a person of a different race to wed in Virginia. After returning to Virginia their bedroom is invaded by the Sherriff and they are arrested and jailed this being the only jarring scene in this movie.

Jeff Nichols, director and writer of the screenplay, tells the story in a very low key of the couple’s right to marry, live together, and raise their children together. After writing a letter to Robert Kennedy the case is taken by the ACLU to the Supreme Court. There are no dramatic court scenes with just a brief voiceover telling the final decision declaring marriage an inherent right. The sheriff could have been shown in a very sinister light but he is the law of the State until it is changed. While the intermingling of Whites and Blacks is mostly underplayed, with the positive and negative aspects shown as accepted way of life neither side is ‘right’. One scene, in a local bar, could have been explosive but stops short just as showing Black and White men’s enjoying a day of drag racing is just that, friends enjoying their day off.

The only ‘Hollywood’ aspect of the film is that the name of the couple are Loving but that was the case and couldn’t be improved upon just as the performances of Joel Edgerton as Richard and Ruth Negga as Mildred couldn’t have been Improved upon. Richard is a silent man who just wants to provide for the wife and kids he loves, doesn’t even want to get involved with the Supreme Court case or the attention it draws to him. He wants to do his job being a bricklayer and tinker with the cars for the drag races. Mildred wants to care for her husband, children, make a comfortable home for them without interference from anyone. Both actors express so much with saying so little.

With Marton Scokas as the Sheriff, Nick Kroll and Jon Bass as the ACLU lawyers plus an ensemble of excellent actors, playing family members and friends, director Jeff Nichols has no need for histrionics to bring attention to them.

As the screenwriter, Nichols steers clear of clichés and concentrates on the love aspect of the couple instead of theatrics of the lawyers. What he gives us is a moving story, a story that will bring a tear or two to your eyes while bringing an important law case to many that would change lives and lead to ‘declaring marriage an inherent right’ and making Gay marriage possible.

“Loving” is definitely one of the best movies I have seen this year.… Expand

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dburks1990

Jun 1, 2019

The actors portray their characters with such precision that it makes for a slow first half.

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madmovieman

Nov 30, 2016

There have been a fair few Civil Rights dramas over the years, but what makes Loving one of the best ones is that it takes a slightly different approach to telling the story. Whilst its main message is the same, one of the injustices that people suffered due to racial discrimination at theThere have been a fair few Civil Rights dramas over the years, but what makes Loving one of the best ones is that it takes a slightly different approach to telling the story. Whilst its main message is the same, one of the injustices that people suffered due to racial discrimination at the time, this film decides to give a very intimate look at two people whose lives were affected so much, something that gives it stronger and more tender emotion than a wide-scale Civil Rights biopic.

For starters, I want to talk about the way this film starts. Given that its focus is more centred on the relationship between husband and wife Richard and Mildred, you’d think that there would be a set up phase where they meet and fall in love, allowing you to form a stronger emotional connection with them.

However, in what is by far the best move of the entire film, we’re plunged straight into the middle of things, just days before they encounter the first instance of prejudice against their marriage. What makes that work so well is that you take the strength of their love and their relationship as a given, having only ever seen them so close, and because the first threat to the sanctity of their marriage comes so soon, it feels a lot more like you’ve been robbed of a blissfully happy couple than one you would have judgments of based on any setup phase.

It sounds like a strange comment to make, but it’s a striking way to open a film, and definitely played a big part in immediately getting me on side for what is quite a slow-paced, quiet and heavy-going film, something that doesn’t work out so well very often.

When it comes to the following two acts, I can’t say that we ever get the same level of emotional drama again, but what keeps the film interesting is the fact that it has such an intimate focus on Richard and Mildred. Unlike many films before it, it’s not all about whether their relationship will survive such turmoil, but instead how the two characters feel both individually and as a couple as a result of the injustice they suffer.

So, that means that this isn’t necessarily the film for a history buff looking for all the facts, but nor is it a sappy romance. In the end, Loving is actually one of the most personal films of the year, but that makes it a very memorable watch, and whilst its subject matter does make for some heavy-going drama at times, it’s engrossing from start to finish.

The performances here are very good too. Joel Edgerton, whilst not always the easiest to understand, does a great job at portraying Richard Loving. A complex character who’s both very introverted and yet very passionate about his wife, Edgerton makes that abundantly clear on screen, making Richard a particularly interesting character to follow. Alongside Edgerton is Ruth Negga, who, as the film goes on, begins to take a more central role in proceedings.

For her first major motion picture leading role, this is a very good turn from Negga, as she owns the screen in numerous dialogue sequences, and her character’s strength in the face of adversity, particularly in comparison to her husband, shines through brilliantly in Negga’s performance, which made her the character that I really took to and wanted to succeed in the legal battles.

If there is one issue with this film, then it is the fact that the events depicted don’t quite have the impact that I felt they warrant. I said earlier that this film’s more intimate focus instead of a wider historical context was a positive, and I stand by that, however there were moments when I felt that the legendary and seismic nature of this case, the one that overturned laws against interracial marriage in the US Constitution, wasn’t quite as strong as it could have been.

Overall, I thought Loving was a very interesting film that used its closely intimate focus very well. Starting off with a bang, it’s an engrossing watch from start to finish, and provides a different story to most Civil Rights dramas, albeit just missing a little more emphasis on the historical importance of its events. Its performances are excellent too, making its central characters fascinating to follow.… Expand

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Spangle

Nov 27, 2016

The most low-key work by director Jeff Nichols, Loving is a slow, moving, and reserved film about two very reserved people. Telling the story of Richard (Joel Edgerton) and Mildred Loving (Ruth Negga), Loving recounts their love, their marriage, and the legal battle that legalizedThe most low-key work by director Jeff Nichols, Loving is a slow, moving, and reserved film about two very reserved people. Telling the story of Richard (Joel Edgerton) and Mildred Loving (Ruth Negga), Loving recounts their love, their marriage, and the legal battle that legalized interracial marriage nationwide. A truly historic case, Loving is not concerned with the courtroom. Rather, it is a love story about two unassuming country folk who fell in love. That said, in doing this, Loving loses the climax of their "freedom", opting to focus upon their relationship and given the silent, stoic nature of the couple. This leaves the film lacking the impactful ending demanded by the importance of the case. However, with great direction, acting, and cinematography, Loving does manage to overcome its camera shy approach to telling this story.

Two shy people, the Loving's are brilliantly brought to life by Edgerton and Negga. Though, on watching, their performances are so slight they evade detection. As such, the viewer is forced to peel back to the onion and, upon doing so, the emotion of the film is revealed. However, it is still very subtle and comes in non-noteworthy actions, embraces, or delivery of lines. For example, the famed photo of Richard resting his head in Mildred's lap that was published in Life Magazine is one such moment. Tender, subtle, and entirely romantic, as is the rest of the film, this moment encapsulates the beauty of their romance. In a similar tone, Richard telling his lawyer Bernard Cohen (Nick Kroll) to tell the Supreme Court that he "loves his wife" is a truly powerful moment amplified by Edgerton's delivery. Thus, it is undeniable that both Negga and Edgerton turned in stellar performances. Though more low-key than many performances and, should either win, it will largely be criticized by the general public, both are worthy nominees. That said, Kroll is quite bad here. He struggles to fit in and appears ready to make a joke at any turn. The fact I laughed when he was first shown is indicative that he is not ready for a dramatic role. His acting did little to change my mind, as he seemed like a comedic actor punching above his weight class.

The film's cinematography is also great and fully embraced by Nichols. With slow drawn out sequences, Nichols allows the camera to really soak in the beauty of the scenery and farm country. In many ways, the visuals are a love letter to the rural environment that Nichols so clearly loves in each of his films. Furthermore, once again, the best shot here comes in a car. From over Edgerton's shoulder, there is a great shot in a car and, just as in Midnight Special, a shot of cars speeding ahead with the headlights glowing on the road are terrific. Nichols seems to favor this shot lately and his films' look definitely benefit from this affection.

However, the film is held back by its commitment to its couple. Just as low-key and shy as its protagonists, Loving is an unassuming and quiet film. As such, it can be quite slow and, at the end, devoid of emotional punch. For such a landmark case, its emotional climax comes and goes with rapid speed. Though the decision to focus on the romance and not the courtroom elements help the film not feel as tedious as a courtroom film often can, it does hurt the film by losing the weight and power of the case that it depicts. Loving v. Virginia is a landmark decision and had the film at least shown the decision being delivered without any of the arguments, it would have been a film with incredible emotion and a terrific climax. Instead, the audience gets the decision on the other end of the phone. While true to its characters, Loving's conclusion to its case does not fit thematically or entertainment-wise.

As a whole, Loving may be my least favorite work by Nichols, though I have yet to see Shotgun Stories. That said, it is still a beautiful and lyrical experience that is a love letter to love and country living. Though it lacks the punch I hoped it would have, its tenderly depicted and written romance is tremendous.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

amheretojudge

Jun 4, 2018

a heartfelt soothing experience..

Loving There aren't many historical drama genre features that satisfies the audience through its mellow tone which is apt for the structure of the script. There aren't any high-pitched dramatic sequences that may stand out in here but it does flow like aa heartfelt soothing experience..

Loving

There aren't many historical drama genre features that satisfies the audience through its mellow tone which is apt for the structure of the script. There aren't any high-pitched dramatic sequences that may stand out in here but it does flow like a melting butter that never fumbles its way down the road. Jeff Nichols; the writer-director, has written a gripping layered screenplay that is exceeded by its brilliant execution and editing that ups the ante of the feature and communicates with the audience in each and every frame. The feature fails to score on technical aspects like background score, production and custom design although it is shot beautifully which makes it supremely watchable. The performance objective is the game changer where Ruth Negga and Joel Edgerton are in their A game on their parallel role as a couple struggling with its generation. Its first half hits hard and fast and establishes the stakes appropriately after which the maker takes their time on the second half and goes as deep as possible. Loving is a heartfelt soothing experience where there are lots of mutual aspects to connect and feel the characters projected and then the rest of it is carried off by stellar performances.… Expand

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NedRyerson1

Jan 23, 2017

Loving as a based on true events film, tells the story of the marriage that set the breakthrough on equality of civil rights to interracial couples. The problem with the movie is that never takes off; you are always waiting for something. You get to know very little of the protagonist,Loving as a based on true events film, tells the story of the marriage that set the breakthrough on equality of civil rights to interracial couples. The problem with the movie is that never takes off; you are always waiting for something. You get to know very little of the protagonist, marked by lack of insight and dialogues remitted to monosyllables. Don’t even ask for supporting roles. The plot has definitely one and only objective, which was set focus on the process not the characters. With this in mind, the climax of the picture, which surely is the most important part, isn’t shown in order to concentrate on the protagonists life. Basically the movie is boring, is lost in the idea that seeks to convey, falling into inconsistencies. Its noticeable some struggle with the direction and script. There is no work with camera or soundtrack. And the so loved performances are average, nothing to highlight.… Expand

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