‘Loving’ is a quietly powerful and disarmingly beautiful film. For those familiar with Jeff Nichols’ previous works ‘Take Shelter’ and ‘Mud’ know that he is an astutely gifted filmmaker. It’s the combination of sparse dialogue, lush cinematography and superb lead performances that make it a special moviegoing experience. Growing up in the South, Nichols gravitates towards people and stories that take place in these rural parts of the country. The landmark case over interracial marriage is fascinating in its own right but Nichols skillfully gets to the heart of the story by focusing on the couple’s love and devotion for each other. As you wipe away a tear or two, you will realize why ‘Loving’ is one of the most poignant and essential films this awards season.
Richard Loving (Joel Edgerton) decides to wed Mildred (Ruth Negga) after discovering she’s pregnant. They’ve been a couple and in love for a long time so Richard sees nothing wrong with making it official through marriage. There is only one problem. In the 1950s, there was a law forbidding interracial marriages. Since it was illegal to marry in their home state of Virginia, they had to travel to Washington D.C. to tie the knot. They go back home to live and raise a family. Richard is a man of few words but he is a hardworking bricklayer while Mildred is a dutiful homemaker. About a month later, local police storm into their bedroom and arrest the couple. They go before a judge who orders them to leave the state for 25 years or face one year in prison.
With few options available, they decide to move to Washington D.C. to raise their burgeoning family. Mildred misses country living and her support network of relatives. After 5 years, the Civil Rights Movement gains speed. She just wants to move her family back home and raise her kids in the country. This is where the story begins to shift more towards Mildred rather than Richard. In 1963, she writes a letter to Attorney General Bobby Kennedy. Instead of showing an actor giving a cheesy performance as Kennedy, we only hear his voice in a phone call to her. He tells her that he will contact the ACLU to look into her case. It never turns into a long-winded courtroom drama. Again, Nichols focuses on the Loving family simply living their lives like any other American family. One of Richard’s passions is racing cars so there are scenes showing him tinkering with muscle cars and taking pride in beating the competition. Other scenes show the kids playing in the fields and eating at the dinner table. After spending time with the family, you wonder how anyone could keep them apart.
There are bits of humor added when the Lovings meet with an inexperienced ACLU lawyer Bernie Cohen (Nick Kroll) about taking their case to the Supreme Court. Richard is puzzled why the young lawyer can’t just work it out with the local judge. He explains to them that if their case gets heard by the Supreme Court, it has the potential to change the Constitution of the United States. This is where Negga shines as Mildred. With just a smile and glance, Negga gives nuances to the role that go beyond the screenplay. Negga herself is a biracial actress of Ethiopian and Irish descent. Her eyes are big and expressive. It is an Oscar-worthy performance and she is a shoo-in for a nomination. Although Richard is the strong, silent type, we soon discover that she is the real core that holds the family together. If it wasn’t for Mildred’s strength, Loving v. Virginia never would have become a landmark case.
“Tell the judge I love my wife,” are the words Richard wants the ACLU lawyer to relay to the Supreme Court Justices. The powerful simplicity of those words is moving and exemplifies what the Loving family stood for. They just want privacy to happily live their lives like everybody else. They decline to attend the historical Supreme Court hearing but you almost wish that Mildred did. This is a couple that never wanted to be in the limelight. The biggest amount of publicity they received was doing a photo shoot for Life Magazine. The photographer Grey Villet (Michael Shannon) captures an iconic shot of Richard laying his head on Mildred’s lap while relaxing in front of the television watching an episode of “The Andy Griffith Show.” It’s a natural moment in time that embodies an American family. ‘Loving’ is an important and touching film that should not be missed.
