…………………………………………………

Amistad Movie Review

Amistad is a 1997 historical drama film directed by Steven Spielberg and starring Djimon Hounsou and Matthew McConaughey. It’s a solid, but far from great flick.

………………………………………………….

“Give us, us free“

…………………………………………………..

…………………………………………………..

The move follows the true events of 1839 aboard the slave ship La Amistad, during which Mende tribesmen abducted for the slave trade managed to gain control of their captors’ ship off the coast of Cuba, and the international legal battle that followed their capture by the Washington, a U.S. revenue cutter.

Although somewhat historically inaccurate, the film is interesting for dealing with a lesser known story about racism, and thus it’s more memorable and unique. However, it still has its very standard inspirational moments that have come to plague most Spielberg outings, in particular the scenes at the courtroom are way too emotionally manipulative.

But I did really enjoy the courtroom drama elements here, those made the second half a lot of fun as the dialogue is very strong and some speeches are wonderful. The beginning is also memorable in its imagery. However, the middle remainder of the film is decidedly devoid of memorable moments and it mostly plays as forgettable drama that did not need to be that long. The runtime is ridiculously long and the film isn’t cinematic enough most of the time.

But the score from John Williams is so grandiose and African-based, which I adored. This is undoubtedly one of his best, most underrated scores with the ending being particularly moving. Most of the film is emotional, but some of it is manipulative. The cinematography is strong, but again the film needed more outdoors scenes to make it more cinematic.

…………………………………………………..

…………………………………………………..

The acting is amazing. Matthew McConaughey is solid and Anthony Hopkins is very good in his well written role, but it is Djimon Hounsou who entirely stole the show with his very emotional character. Some of his scenes are so striking, especially in his emotive expressions, that I am baffled why the Academy snubbed him. The direction from Spielberg is passable and this is far from his best films, but standing firmly in the middle of the pack.

Amistad is a solid historical piece from Spielberg that is undoubtedly overlong, especially in its middling second act. Its plot is far from particularly memorable, though mostly well told for sure. The courtroom drama elements are great, John Williams’ score is one of his best and most underrated, and Djimon Hounsou was snubbed by the Academy for his terrific, memorable work here.

My Rating – 3.5

Amistad truly has an amazing soundtrack. You can get it on Amazon.