Cinema for Brunch RUSTIN Review

Colman Domingo leads a jazzy, engaging biopic for one of the most influential, forgotten heroes of the Civil Rights Era.

Synopsis

Bayard Rustin, advisor to Martin Luther King Jr., dedicates his life to the quest for racial equality, human rights and worldwide democracy. However, as an openly gay Black man, he is all but erased from the civil rights movement he helped build.

Review
Biopics for historical figures can be a hit or miss, especially black historical figures. When covering a largely unsung civil rights figure such as Baynard Rustin, the key figure behind the iconic 1963 March on Washington where MLK gave his iconic “I have a dream” speech, there needs to be intrigue regarding the players involved. In comes the great partnering of director George C. Wolfe – coming off acclaim for his previous film “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom” – and actor Colman Domingo portraying the civil rights leader himself. Produced by Barack and Michelle Obama, “Rustin” puts the civil rights figure front-and-center and presents a story of a man who owned his power and encouraged others to do the same when it came to standing for what’s right, even when his own personal life was in shambles.

Baynard Rustin’s story is a compelling one fit for a fresh biopic, fortunately, “Rustin” presents itself to be an apt, fresh take. Rustin is a man whose personality carries many shades – he’s quick-witted, sharp, ballsy and charming. He’s not the perfect man all around but he’s the perfect man for what he does – leading the nonviolent fight against racism. However, due to Rustin’s personal life as a gay man, he not only receives opposition from the usual foes – the FBI, conservative political figures – but from his own camp, such as the NAACP. The film begins with Rustin catching up with his old pal, Martin Luther King, Jr (Aml Ameen), planning something new for change. However, these plans are stopped dead in their tracks due to a gay rumor about the two. This leads to strife between the NAACP and Rustin that would lead to Rustin eventually giving in his resignation with King reluctantly turning his back on his friend. This is a great emotional starting point that gives us reason to empathize with an exiled man that just wants to fight for what’s right, sexuality be damned. This is the perfect lead role for Colman Domingo’s range as he commands the role of Rustin with gusto and carries nearly every scene he’s in. As Rustin puts himself into one pickle after another, especially considering his complicated love life between fellow activist Tom (Gus Halper) and married preacher Elias (Johnny Ramey), Domingo carries it all well and never delivers a showy or pretentious performance.

There is a terrific ensemble at work here alongside Domingo. Aml Ameen gives a surprisingly solid performance as MLK jr. While the performance may not be on par with David Oyelowo’s in “Selma”, he sinks into the role well, not overselling it but keeping it believable enough to complement Domingo’s lead. Chris Rock delivers a great, seething performance as Roy Wilkins, the NAACP’s Executive Secretary who is Rustin’s main antagonist (seriously, this character – or Chris Rock’s portrayal of him – could go down as the cinematic hater of the year, alongside Robert Downey Jr’s Lewis Strauss in “Oppenheimer”). Other great players here worth mentioning are Glynn Turman as activist A. Phillip Randolph (delivering great, commanding work as usual), Michael Potts as Cleveland Robinson (delivering some of the films more funny moments), CCH Pounder as Anna Arnold Hedgeman (small role but effective) and Jeffrey Wright as Adam Clayton Powell Jr (who shines during a key, confrontative scene).

In tandem with the great ensemble cast, George C. Wolfe handles the material well with a jazzy level of energy. Even though “Rustin” may not be one of the best biopics ever made, it’s definitely one of the most solid. This is due to George C. Wolfe’s fluid direction, transitioning from scene to scene with jazzy musical drops, powerfully felt montages and great closeups in times of intense emotion. Depicting the story of a man who organized the most influential march of all time could easily have been a boring or unnecessary film. Fortunately for “Rustin”, there is some value in this film’s stock and could serve as a well-done dramatized history lesson. It doesn’t aim to be more than what it is (or less than, for that matter) and that is enough.

Closing Thoughts
“Rustin” is not a groundbreaking biopic but it’s effective in its message and intent – to shine a light on one of the “invisible” heroes of the civil rights era. Colman Domingo delivers an Oscar-worthy, magnetic performance in the role of “Rustin” and frankly, it’s a role he was born for. Ever the charismatic character actor, Domingo shines alongside a terrific ensemble of character actors including Glynn Turman and Michael Potts. “Rustin” doesn’t paint the activist as a perfect man but rather as an imperfect figure that puts himself at the right place at the right time to enact change. The films leaves Rustin better than it found him by educating the masses on his existence and giving him his much needed cinematic flowers. It’s an enjoyable, effective piece of work.

Trailer

Learn more about the film here.