The incredible and extraordinarily moving film Loving tells the real-life story of a white man, Richard Loving (Joel Edgerton), and Mildred Loving (Oscar nominee Ruth Negga), a black woman. It takes place in early 1960s Virginia and needless to say, society did not necessarily greet their union with open arms. In fact, they were arrested in the middle of the night for breaking the law – mixed race couples were not allowed to marry in their state. But they challenged the ruling, all the way to the Supreme Court.
Loving is out now on DVD and Blu-Ray and is a stunning achievement on many levels. That has to start with writer-director Jeff Nichols. The man who gave us the stunners Mud, Take Shelter and most recently Midnight Special, has delivered the most, well… loving of portrayals of two soul mates who simply only want to do one thing in love – love each other until “death do us part.”
Edgerton and Negga have achieved a true thespian triumph with their portrayal of Mildred and Richard and what is so astonishing is that the entire film is so low key, much like the real-life couple themselves. It could have been a showy, grandstanding picture that presented its thoughts on racial relations delivered from a sermon on the mount. Instead, Nichols has penned a love story that lets the adoration between two people do all the arguing one needs to show that these two should have the right to spend their lives together, regardless of their race, background, creed or color. The two actors have sublime chemistry and deliver performances that would make the real-life inspirations proud. We think Edgerton not getting a nomination alongside his screen mate is one of Oscar’s biggest snubs of the year. Was Negga acting in a vacuum?
Well, I digress…
The film is one of our favorite of 2016 and we also believe it deserved a nod for Best Picture. Capturing these two love birds who came together and started a family in a small Virginia town is an enormous achievement. Knowing the risks, the two still went to Washington, D.C. to get married, even though they knew it was illegal in their home state. They came home after their blessed union was achieved, and began their life as if nothing else had changed. Honestly, it was because it hadn’t. These two were in a love affair of a lifetime, and no legal document or law preventing their union, could stop the powerful emotion and connection between these two soul mates.
The film is powerful and about as perfect a tale as we could have wanted. After witnessing its majesty, you are going to want to delve deeper. Before you head to Google to find out more about the Lovings and this historic Supreme Court decision, dive into the bonus features on the Loving Blu-Ray for some enthralling materials.
First, start with Loving vs. Virginia. This featurette explores the true story that inspired Nichols’ latest work. It informs viewers on the Racial Integrity Act. That illegal law was the one used to try to break up our love birds, and many other couples over history. The cast and crew share their thoughts on the real-life couple, while also giving us a front row seat to Loving Day 2016, which found interracial couples coming together to celebrate their partnership in New York City. It is an event that would not exist were it not for the titular pair.
Making Loving is a pretty impressive four-and-a-half-minute look at how the film came to be and features the cast and crew, along with co-producer Colin Firth(!) adding insight into the magic of this movie. The greatest insight is how there was a collective goal of all involved to showcase the themes of the story, which are as resonant today as they were when the real-life story unfolded.
Nichols is famous for filming his work in the south. As a product of that part of the country, it has always been imperative for him to shoot his movies on location. There is no substitute for the southern states, even when the filmmaker has to put the spotlight on his neck of the woods, warts and all. Virginia: A Loving Backdrop is an extraordinary featurette that commences with Virginia governor Terry McAuliffe giving viewers a firsthand account as to why his state is a treasure trove of excellence to film in. Cast and crew also offer their thoughts on filming in the state. But the best part has to be when Nichols hits the screen and shares his love for the Bowling Green location and how he could not have made the film without the locals’ love and care.
A Loving Ensemble illustrates how the two leads were merely the tip of the excellence iceberg with the film. It details the audition process through casting and rehearsals.
Lastly, given that this is a film that is written and directed by Nichols, we could not recommend enough watching the film a second time (or third time!) with the audio commentary turned on. Nichols is a brilliant filmmaker and after hearing his thoughts through the film, one would be hard-pressed to not be the first in line to see his future work.
Film Grade: A+
Bonus Features: A