Rustin | Film Review

Activist Bayard Rustin (Colman Domingo) tries to change the course of the Civil Rights movement by organising the March on Washington, fighting both racism and homophobia along the way.

I didn't know anything about this story before the film, which is a shame as Rustin should definitely be a more well-known figure when it comes to learning about the Civil Rights movement.

But without understating the importance of the real-life man who did these things, the film itself falls a bit flat.

The opening scene is really powerful, and seems to be giving a small taste of what's to come. I think if the film had been able to keep the tone it set here, it would have been great.

The writing, for the most part, was great.

When looking at the story as a whole, it is powerful, but while watching it, there was so many moments where it felt like we were just watching a combination of great movies that we've already seen multiple times.

It wasn't as compelling as it needed to be. I found I didn't care about most of the characters (at times including Rustin) and was waiting for something to happen.

I can completely understand Domingo's Oscar nomination (he completely carried the film), but I can also understand the lack of nominations in all other categories.

Overall, this film was a bit bland at times, a bit boring at times, and while the message is important, it doesn't give us this message in the most engaging way.

5.5/10