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Ruth Negga (2nd
from right) stars as Mildred and Joel Edgerton (right) stars as Richard
in Jeff Nichols LOVING, a Focus Features release.
Credit : Ben Rothstein / Focus Features
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Mildred Jeter and Richard Loving grew up in the rural
unincorporated town of Central Point, Virginia. They met in high school, spent
time together, and eventually, when Mildred became pregnant, decided to marry.
But this was the 1950’s and Mildred was African American and Richard was white.
Virginia had anti-miscegenation laws which made their marriage illegal. How did
these two young people get beyond Jim Crow and fall in love? Well that had a
lot to with Central Point VA.
Central Point was and is still a very rural area. At a
distance of about 90 miles south east from Washington DC it was community with
a history of poor farmers, black and white, ignoring the rules of segregation, living
together. According to a 2012 article in the Washington
Post, Central Point and Caroline County has had a long history of people of
all races forming family units.
Today many people say they “don’t see color,” but I have
always felt that is a cop out that allows people to hide their racism. Richard
and Mildred saw beyond color. They
understood the reality of the world of segregation that they lived in, but they
saw beyond those laws. By growing up in an integrated community they were able
to see beyond the social construct of race to reality of their love.
Loving - The official Trailer
On Friday Nov 4th, Loving will open in theaters across the country. Writer/Director Jeff Nichols’ wonderful tribute to Richard and Mildred Loving is
a powerful presentation of their love and strength. Like his subjects, this
movie lives in the silences between the things that are said and left unsaid.
This was a couple very much in love, and who wanted to live their lives in
peace and quiet. They were not activists looking to change the world.
Mr. Nichols uses silence like a sword. Whereas another
director might have a character give a rousing speech about segregation and
fighting racism, Mr. Nichols trusts his audience to know history. Watching this
excellent movie, it is clear that Mr. Nichols understands that viewers can read
thoughts and feelings without dialog.
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| By Source, Fair use, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?curid=13624396 |
It helps that he has cast two excellent actors in the lead
roles. Ruth Negga’s portrayal of Mildred Loving embodies Mildred’s dignity and her
determination to live a better life. Ms. Negga has been acting for several
years in Ireland and England, and recently has had roles on ABC’s Agents of S.H.E.I.L.D. and now in AMC’s Preacher. Ms. Negga plays Mildred as a
pillar of strength, who both holds her family together and is the impetus
behind filing the court case that ended the anti-miscegenation laws and opened
the doors that have led today to marriage equality for all.
To play Richard Loving, Jeff Nichols selected Joel Edgarton. Born in
New South Wales, Mr. Edgarton has a lengthy resume, including Star Wars Episode II and Star Wars Episode
III, The Great Gatsby, and Exodus – Gods and Kings. Mr. Edgarton imbues the
role of Richard Loving a palpable tension. Mr. Loving wants to raise his family
in peace and to protect his wife and children but he doesn’t want to rock the
boat.
Mr. Nichols brings out all of these emotions without having
the long declarations that outside of hands of a writer like Shakespeare, often
feel forced. Instead he lets his actors live in the situations. The Lovings
were quiet people who wanted to live quiet lives. Mr. Nichols has brought them
out from history to speak loudly on issues that are as important and timely
today as they were fifty years ago. And he did it by trusting his actors to deliver
their feelings without long speeches. And he trusts his audience to follow him
and his wonderful actors through this journey.
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| http://solarey.net/the-lovings/ |
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