A True American Hero Who Fought for Freedom!

Kaleidoscope's latest is on Focus Features & Perfect World Pictures's production of "Harriet".  Directed & co-written by Kasi Lemmons, the movie stars Cynthia Erivo, Leslie Odom, Jr., Janelle Monae, Clarke Peters, Vanessa Bell Calloway, Vondie Curtis Hall, & Jennifer Nettles.  Rated 'PG-13', it has a running time of 2 hr., 5 min.

The setting is several years before the Civil War.  Harriet, named Minty by her slave owners (son, Gideon Brodess [Alwyn]; mother, Eliza [Nettles]; & dad) lives on a plantation in Maryland, owned by the Brodess's, with her mom (Calloway), dad (Peters), brothers, & a sister.  Under threat of being sold to another 'master', Harriet decides to run away.  Although he preaches obedience in his sermons, she goes to the local preacher, Reverend Green (Hall) in the black church on the plantation to seek assistance.  Harriet learns that Green's church is actually a stop on the 'underground railroad'.  Using mostly her own wits, she travels 100 miles to Philadelphia where she meets a freeman & abolitionist named William Still (Odom), a major figure on the Railroad.  Acts II & III deal with how 'Minty' became Harriet Tubman and her many acts of courage & valiance in the face of insurmountable-seeming odds.

Lemmons (as an actor, Ardelia in "The Silence of the Lambs"; as a director, "Eve's Bayou") has crafted a standard bio-film.  While many times this portends a routine examination of the subject, here we have a powerful narrative that succeeds in spite of the well-used structure of straight-forward storytelling interspersed with flashbacks to provide exposition & context.  The scenes are well staged although there is nothing to place them out of the ordinary.  The screenplay by Lemmons & Gregory Allen Howard paints Harriet as she truly was--an ordinary woman caught up in extraordinary circumstances who succeeds  & triumphs despite the odds stacked against her. The script describes the real-life 'visions' that Harriet began to have after having suffered a traumatic head wound inflicted by an angry slave-master.  These 'visions' in which Harriet claimed that they were God's way of talking to her are presented with a modicum of fanfare, & one believes that she truly had them as she claimed.  The true power of the film comes with Erivo's stunning portrayal of Harriet.  She brings this remarkable woman to life, & the audience sympathizes & empathizes with her throughout her ordeals & achievements.  The promise that Erivo showed in her roles in "Bad Times at the El Royale" & "Widows" comes to full fruition in this film.  She should be nominated for Best Actress when the 2020 Oscar nominations are announced.  One eagerly anticipates her portrayal of Aretha Franklin in the 3rd season of National Geographic's "Genius" series premiering in 2020!  Odom is suitably stoic & dramatic as the real-life William Still who sacrificed much as a Freeman.  Odom's star has risen since his co-starring role as Aaron Burr in "Hamilton: the Musical", winning him a Tony for Best Actor in a Musical, and for his recurring role as Rev. Curtis Scott in "Law & Order: SVU" on CBS.  His onscreen persona projects humility, strength, & a sense of justice which was perfect for his portrayal of Still.  Alwyn is suitably torn between his affection for Minty & the sadism & racism inherent in the slaveowners of the South.  Monae is regal as a Freewoman gives shelter & food to runaway slaves in her boarding house.  Peters, Calloway, & Hall (Lemmons's real life husband) are veteran actors who are superb in their minor roles.  An unrecognizable Nettles surprises in her role of a bereaved widow who is just as evil & sadistic as her son.  Veteran Jazz composer & trumpeter Terence Blanchard has written a score that is elegiac, majestic, & contemplative at the right moments.  John Toll's cinematography & Wyatt Smith editing are professional if uninspired.

I give "Harriet" 8 out of 10 nuggets.  This is a very good biographical film that explores & celebrates the life of a truly great American hero--a hero, I fear, who would be greatly disappointed by the corrosive & divisive political landscape that permeates our nation today.  If you have not already, speed to your local cineplex for this inspiring film.