Harriet Movie Review

Harriet (2019)

Rent Harriet on Amazon Video
Written by: Gregory Allen Howard and Kasi Lemmons (screenplay by), Gregory Allen Howard (story by)
Directed by: Kasi Lemmons
Starring: Cynthia Erivo, Janelle Monáe, Leslie Odom Jr., Clarke Peters
Rated: PG-13
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Plot
The extraordinary tale of Harriet Tubman's escape from slavery and transformation into one of America's greatest heroes, whose courage, ingenuity, and tenacity freed hundreds of slaves and changed the course of history.

Verdict
It's a great story, but often historical movies fall into the habit of feeling like a bullet point summary of what happened. That doesn't happen in Harriet. We understand Harriet's plight and root for her to succeed. While her success feels easy, the broader message about equal rights upon which this movie touches is pertinent.
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Review
This is a great story. It's hard to believe this movie is more relevant now than it would have been even five years ago. This focuses on Harriet's drive to free slaves. The movie doesn't get into extolling why slavery is wrong because it doesn't need to. It's easy to see why Harriet risked her safety to free others. Often in history based movies, the characters choose actions solely because that's what happened. In this movie, the reasons for her choices are clear. This does a good job of setting up why she wants to go back and what's going on in her head.

Her journey didn't feel like one hundred miles. I realize this isn't The Revenant detailing a perilous journey, and I didn't want this to focus on her journey but the movie makes it seem easier than it must have been.

Leslie Odom Jr. plays William Still.

Erivo does a great job playing Harriet as resolved and determined. Harriet seems different from everyone else and her actions only reinforce that. Who would venture back to the South after escaping unlawful imprisonment? While he has a small role, it was fun to see Leslie Odom Jr. outside of Hamilton, though, it's easy to connect this to Hamilton due to the relatively similar time period.
The great performances lend themselves to emotional moments. There's a scene when she first goes back to find her husband and the group has gotten larger than anticipated. Harriet tells them to go into the water to escape and they refuse. She walks into the water to prove it isn't too deep. This scene captures what Harriet's about, as far as the movie is concerned. She goes forward. She's driven, regardless of safety, because death is preferable to slavery. If they are captured, they will be forced back into slavery.

Cynthia Erivo plays Harriet Tubman.

I have to wonder if Harriet had these visions that helped her to avoid the slavers that chased her. It's a nice plot element that isn't used so frequent as to become annoying. Per a Google search, Harriet did have premonitions she believed to be from God that aided her in freeing unlawfully imprisoned people.

I like how this ends with text about her exploits in the Civil War. I wouldn't mind seeing a movie about her leading a raid.