Loving

— This sensitive film tells the story of Richard and Mildred Loving, an interracial couple who lived in 1958 Virginia. When Mildred became pregnant they drove to Washington, D.C. and were married but then were arrested back in Virginia and found guilty thanks to Virginia laws prohibiting interracial marriage. Having pled guilty, they were forced either to leave Virginia or live in hiding. In 1964, Mildred wrote Attorney General Robert Kennedy about the unfairness of their situation and he referred the matter to the ACLU. Three years later their case had made its way to the Supreme Court and the landmark ruling struck down anti-miscegenation laws. The film is textured and, given the story, surprisingly quiet and undramatic. The Lovings don’t really want to be in the limelight so their actions are mostly reserved. Atmospheres are established and there’s a general tone that carries throughout the action. A glance, a grin, or a light touch are used to convey emotions and the elements all work well together. The film is at its best as it establishes their story until the ACLU becomes interested in their case. Luckily, that’s about the first two-thirds of the film. When Nick Kroll enters the story as the ACLU attorney, he shatters the subtlety with his performance. In spite of Kroll, the main characters manage to retain dignity instead of righteousness and depict love instead of anger.

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[2016. 123 minutes. Written and directed by Jeff Nichols. Starring Ruth Negga, Joel Edgerton, and Will Dalton.]
http://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/loving-2016