Amistad

BB.5

(out of 5)

Overlong and patronizing account of a slave ship bound for Jamaica, whose passengers revolt with the intent of returning to Africa but end up in 19th-century Massachusetts instead. Now an American court has to decide what to do with these rebels who have committed murder against their “superiors” and are the property of Spain. Newcomer Djimon Hounsou is compelling and graceful as the main character, a slave who connects with his legal advocate (Matthew McConaughey) and tells his story of being abducted from his peaceful and beautiful homeland, enduring the worst conditions and indignities on the rough seas before finally taking matters into his own hands. Despite his and McConaughey’s excellent performances, and the supporting work done by a vibrant Anthony Hopkins, director Steven Spielberg directs the film as if it’s meant for ten year-olds, generalizing too much information and presenting characters with little nuance (David Paymer points at the prospective slaves and shouts that they are possessions; there’s no denying that people this terrible existed, but they’re presented as caricatures here). It is, however, a chapter in history rarely talked about in schools or books and for that reason should definitely be seen, but don’t expect too much from the experience intellectually. Morgan Freeman and Stellan Skarsgård are all but wasted as gentlemen who take up the slaves’ cause.

USA, 1997

Directed by Steven Spielberg

Screenplay by David Franzoni

Cinematography by Janusz Kaminski

Produced by Debbie Allen, Steven Spielberg, Colin Wilson

Music by John Williams

Production Design by Rick Carter

Costume Design by Ruth E. Carter

Film Editing by Michael Kahn

Cast Tags:  Abdul-Fatai Balogun, Abu Bakaar Fofanah, Abu Sidique, Adekunle Ilori, Ahmed Bangura, Allan Rich, Amadou Traore, Andrew L. Josiah,Andrew Shoemo, Anna Paquin, Anthony Hopkins, Arliss Howard, Austin Pendleton, Baboucar Jobe, Bernard Singleton, Brian Macon, Bundu Kamara, Carlos Spivey, Castulo Guerra, Charlean Isata Bangalie, Charles Udoma, Chike Okpala, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Clarence Mobley, Curtis Shields,Daniel Reid, Daniel von Bargen, Darren E. Burrows, David Paymer, Denver Dowridge, Derrick N. Ashong, Desere Mondon, Djimon Hounsou, Edward Appiah, El Hadj Malik Sow, Frank T. Wells, Geno Silva, George Gerdes, George Kamara, Gerald R. Molen, Habib Conteh, Harry A. Blackmun, Harry Groener, Hawthorne James, Ibrahim Sesay, Ingrid Walters, Isaac Mayanja, Jake Weber, James Moses, Jeremy Northam, Jeremy Shelton, Jimmy Fotso, John Ortiz, Joseph Kosseh, Juliette Darko, Kevin J. O’Connor, Lamine Thiam, Lansana Sawi, Lawal Tajudeen,León Singer, Lester Mombelly, Luc Assogba, M.S. Kaleiwo, Mariah Campbell, Marlon Francis, Matt Sarles, Matthew McConaughey, Michael Massee,Michael Riley, Monguehy Fanzy, Morgan Freeman, Nigel Hawthorne, Omo Lara Tosin, Paul Guilfoyle, Paul Mwakutuya, Pedro Armendáriz Jr., Pete Postlethwaite, Peter Firth, Peter Mansaray, Prince Coke, Ralph Brown, Ransford Thomas, Razaaq Adoti, Robert Walsh, Roosevelt Flenoury, Rory Burton, Roy Cooper, Rusty Schwimmer, Samson Odede, Samuel Orekhio, Samuel Pieh, Saye Lah, Sean McGuirk, Seydou Coulibaly, Sheriff Kargbo,Sherly Acosta Williams, Stellan Skarsgård, Stephen Conteh, Steve Passewe, Sylvestre Massaquoi, Tesfay Yohannes, Tomas Milian,Tony Onafesso, Tony Owen, Victor Rivers, William Young, Willie Amakye, Willie Onafesso, Xander Berkeley, Yaya Sissoko

Academy Award Nominations
Best Actor in a Supporting Role (Anthony Hopkins as “John Quincy Adams”)
Best Cinematography (Janusz Kaminski)
Best Costume Design (Ruth E. Carter)
Best Music (Original Dramatic Score (John Williams)

Golden Globe Award Nominations
Best Motion Picture-Drama
Best Performance By An Actor in a Motion Picture-Drama (Djimon Hounsou)
Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture (Anthony Hopkins)
Best Director (Steven Spielberg)

Screen Actors Guild Award Nomination
Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role (Anthony Hopkins)

Directors Guild Award Nomination
Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Motion Pictures (Steven Spielberg)

European Film Award
Outstanding European Achievement In World Cinema (Stellan Skarsgard)