Selma

Name: Selma
Genre: Biography, Drama, History
Released: December 25, 2014
Duration: 128 min
Rating: 79
Cast: Andre Holland, Carmen Ejogo, Common, David Oyelowo, Giovanni Ribisi

2014

METASCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 52 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 444 Ratings

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7.2

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7.2	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 444 Ratings

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Selma

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Movie Details & Credits

Paramount Pictures | Release Date: December 25, 2014 | PG-13

Starring: Andre Holland, Carmen Ejogo, Common, David Oyelowo, Giovanni Ribisi, Lorraine Toussaint, Tim Roth, Tom Wilkinson, Wendell Pierce

Summary: In 1965, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. (David Oyelowo) leads a dangerous campaign to secure equal voting rights in the face of violent opposition. The march from Selma to Montgomery culminates in President Johnson (Tom Wilkinson) signing the Voting Rights Act of 1965, one of the most significant victories for the civil rights movement.

Director: Ava DuVernay

Genre(s): Biography, Drama, History

Rating: PG-13

Runtime: 128 min

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Metascore

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Critic Reviews

100

Calvin Wilson

Jan 8, 2015

Oyelowo takes full advantage of his close physical resemblance to King, but he wisely avoids mere impersonation, delivering a performance that’s as sensitive as it is spellbinding. Read full review

100

James Rocchi

Nov 12, 2014

Selma is one of the best American films of the year — and indeed perhaps the best — precisely because it does not simply show what Dr. King did for America in his day; it also wonders explicitly what we have left undone for America in ours. Read full review

100

Lou Lumenick

Dec 23, 2014

Brilliantly acted and directed, Ava DuVernay’s towering Selma is Hollywood’s definitive depiction of the 1960s American civil rights movement — as well as perhaps the most timely movie you’ll see this year. Read full review

A.O. Scott

Dec 24, 2014

Even if you think you know what’s coming, Selma hums with suspense and surprise. Packed with incident and overflowing with fascinating characters, it is a triumph of efficient, emphatic cinematic storytelling. And much more than that, of course. Read full review

Ben Nicholson

Dec 28, 2018

A vital and timely missive to a new generation that is as sobering as it is uplifting, all built around a performance of astounding accomplishment. Read full review

A.A. Dowd

Dec 22, 2014

As cinema, Selma is commendable; as cultural barometer, it’s beyond reproach. Read full review

John Hazelton

Jan 9, 2019

Sequences depicting the Selma marches – the first of which led to violent police attacks that were seen on national TV and helped change the mood of the country – are fairly understated, when a more visceral approach might have given the film more emotional heft. Read full review

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User Reviews

TotallyEpicHD

Dec 25, 2014

It was magnificent! Director Ava DuVernay, short film director, really outdone herself! David Oyelowo as MLK, everything about this film as great! Well done!

8 of 17 users found this helpful89

ledaumas

Jan 22, 2015

Blacks have been here a lot longer than many immigrants who have become wealthy and many immigrants also experience prejudice yet they're grateful to be in the U.S. Since the time in Selma, many have succeeded when they could never have succeeded before (Barrack Obama, Tiger Woods, DenzelBlacks have been here a lot longer than many immigrants who have become wealthy and many immigrants also experience prejudice yet they're grateful to be in the U.S. Since the time in Selma, many have succeeded when they could never have succeeded before (Barrack Obama, Tiger Woods, Denzel Wasington, etc.). While the movie was done well, 50 years later tells me that some people just can't advance in life and they're more interested in protesting, and feeling sorry for one's self. The success of many people of color, especially immigrants, proves you can be successful in the U.S. If you follow the rules. The movie was done well. However, it was one sided, LBJ's efforts were not portrayed accurately. Too bad what the movie really shows is that some people will never get ahead because today we're still experiencing these kind of protests every time some resists arrest and gets shot. It's not about race, it's about obeying the law. It's like being a rebel without a cause. Selma was a long time ago, it didn't help, and there's nothing to show for it today. Plus, the one-sidedness is probably was cost them more Oscars. Again, a good movie, but nothing we can take from yesterday to cheer today.… Expand

1 of 3 users found this helpful12

TVJerry

Jan 15, 2015

The 1965 march from Selma to Montgomery was a turning point in the fight for equal voting rights. This film examines the event from historical and personal perspectives. David Oyelowo remarkably inhabits the role of Martin Luther King, Jr., as he leads the campaign, while facing his ownThe 1965 march from Selma to Montgomery was a turning point in the fight for equal voting rights. This film examines the event from historical and personal perspectives. David Oyelowo remarkably inhabits the role of Martin Luther King, Jr., as he leads the campaign, while facing his own doubts and demons. The performances are universally compelling and director Ava DuVernay has masterfully crafted an authoritative work of cinema. Bradford Young's beautiful, intimate cinematography adds to the film's artistic appeal. Almost every encounter and speech could have been shorter, which would have helped build more dramatic tension, but this remains an important, ambitious historical drama.… Expand

5 of 9 users found this helpful54

duncan1964

Jun 29, 2015

The story of the civil rights march from Selma to Montgomery in a bid to secure equal voting rights, Selma shines a light on small part of Martin Luther King's life and does so in a moving way. The acting by everyone is exemplary, but David Oyelowo excels in the lead role giving aThe story of the civil rights march from Selma to Montgomery in a bid to secure equal voting rights, Selma shines a light on small part of Martin Luther King's life and does so in a moving way. The acting by everyone is exemplary, but David Oyelowo excels in the lead role giving a masterclass that was cruelly over looked by the Academy. The directing maybe a little pedestrian, and feel a little TV movie like, but the story is strong enough to overcome it's minor flaws… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

BHBarry

Jan 25, 2015

The movie "Selma" takes its title, from the infamous city in Alabama where, on March 7, 1965, the Reverend Martin Luther King and his followers chose to march across the Edmund Pettus Bridge en route to the state capitol of Montgomery in order to peacefully protest Alabama’s consistentThe movie "Selma" takes its title, from the infamous city in Alabama where, on March 7, 1965, the Reverend Martin Luther King and his followers chose to march across the Edmund Pettus Bridge en route to the state capitol of Montgomery in order to peacefully protest Alabama’s consistent exclusion of its Black citizens from voting in all local, state and federal elections. This is an important event in the history and struggle for equality and justice for all citizens, and especially the Black minority. Unfortunately, it deserved a better vehicle to display it. Superbly acted by David Oyelowe (as Dr. King) the film was directed by Ava Dwerney who co-wrote the film with Paul Webb. The film, although only 2 hours in length, feels more like 3, for it is burdened with long speeches where normally everyday dialogue would have been the case. Actors don’t speak, they pontificate, and scenes that should be shorter are too long. Poor writing, editing and directing appear to be the culprit causing this film with such a worthy purpose and lofty goal to be less effectual in its execution. Also, what would otherwise have been a great history lesson, especially for those too young at the time to realize the importance of the civil rights struggle in the mid-60’s, is the less than accurate portrayal of key characters, notably President Lyndon. Johnson, whose major claim to fame was his ability to put through the Voting Rights Bill (an effort, history shows, was started weeks before the Selma march). True, sometimes poetic license adds drama to a film but a 180 degree turn from the facts can destroy a venture’s credibility. I give the film an 8 rating because of its important role and significance in portraying a most difficult time in our nation’s history and in showing the courage and tenacity of a great leader who brought about much needed change. It’s a story deserved to be told but one wishes it had been done by a different team of writers and director.… Expand

1 of 3 users found this helpful12

ydnar4

Mar 5, 2015

Selma is an excellent take on the Selma to Montgomery marches. Its well written and feels very real. The film does not hold back and gets very vicious in certain place, much like 12 Years a Slave from last year. David Oyelowo headlines the actors of this film. He plays an excellent MartinSelma is an excellent take on the Selma to Montgomery marches. Its well written and feels very real. The film does not hold back and gets very vicious in certain place, much like 12 Years a Slave from last year. David Oyelowo headlines the actors of this film. He plays an excellent Martin Luther King Jr. He probably deserved an Oscar nominations for this role (more than Bradley Cooper or Steve Carell in my opinion). This guy was really passionate about this role, I watched him crying during the during John Legend, this role certainly meant a lot to him and the Academy needed to recognize that. I would look into this movie though before watching it. It assumes that you should know things before the film begins but I didn't really know much about the event.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

towerdivermp

Mar 2, 2015

this movie is historically inaccurate, slow moving, and was so terrible, I left the theater before the movie had finished. I even researched this time period before watching this movie, and most of the facts were wrong. Do not watch this movie if you were looking for a documentary.

3 of 14 users found this helpful311

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67	#67 Best Movie of 2014
55	#55 Most Discussed Movie of 2014
20	#20 Most Shared Movie of 2014