LOVING

We’ve been on a roll with movies from 2016, and I must say that I’m having the time of my life. Movies from back then were true gems. At least most of them. I think more than historical films, biography dramas may have a more profound effect on me, and I thought to spotlight one that turned my eyes to a never-ending water fountain. Sit back and relax…

LOVING (2016)

Richard Loving is a humble construction worker in a small county in Virginia. He falls in love with Mildred Jeter, a local black woman and a family friend. When Mildred gets pregnant, he decides to marry her. At the time, there were strict laws against interracial marriage in Virginia, and so the lovers drove to Washington D.C to get married. Finally married, Richard makes plans to build a house for his wife.

This dream is cut short when, soon after, the Sheriff and his deputies storm into their home to arrest the Loving family for breaking the anti-interracial marriage law, adding that their marriage license holds no water in Virginia, just before hauling them away and into prison. The lovers plead guilty to the judge and are sentenced to one year in prison. But after the judge suspends this sentence, the Loving family begins to fight back. That just maybe, there is hope for their love to win the test of legality.

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Sometimes, I think about how close some of the horrible things that faced people of colour were. The 1950s and into the 1960s are way too recent in my opinion, and it is sad that this was the story of so many people in the not-too-distant past. I’d watched the documentary and was already abreast with the story of the first legal interracial couple. Not had a personal experience, but I have read stories of people from Virginia who all attest to this being a reality for them.

When it comes to the execution of this film, I have mixed feelings and contradicting opinions. For one, I’m glad that the movie chose to focus on the love story of this couple, instead of all the court proceedings. But somehow, I feel the movie would have been more compelling if the court proceedings had more light thrown in. It would have made for a more suspense-filled, nail-biting movie. But I guess we cannot have all wins, can we?

And for the casting, I strongly believe that Mildred Jeter and Richard Loving may have been compatible for the movie, but not just for themselves. It was beautiful watching them interpret a love story that is so beautiful, it stood the test of time with the worst possible odds, but something felt missing. Or maybe that’s just me.

Altogether, this movie is an easier depiction of the racism and bigotry that were predominant in that period, and even though there was a quiet, nearly emotionless ending, it still holds value as one of the most brilliant films of that year. But if you’ve seen this film, you may not exactly think so. What are your thoughts?

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