Loving: A Gentle Masterpiece

​"Tell the judge I love my wife." Astonishing from beginning until end, Loving is a well-crafted historical drama that pays homage to Richard and Mildred Loving. The film's sensible approach in storytelling blossoms its relevance in today's world.

---

​Being in an interracial marriage myself, I had a close calling towards Loving. My wife Glynis, who is of Peruvian decent, and I were fully engulfed with Richard and Mildred’s captivating story of love and equality. Before our show began, we had the rare experience of sitting next to a couple who were longtime friends of lawyer Bernie S. Cohen (played by Nick Kroll in the film), who helped the Loving’s overturn the anti-miscegenation laws nationwide. It was a treat talking with them and how they were incredibly excited to see Kroll’s performance of a historical friend.

Once the film began. I was astonished with its vivid scenery director Jeff Nichols (Mud and Midnight Special) precisely played throughout the film, along with the strong performances by both Joel Edgerton and Ruth Negga as Richard and Mildred Loving. Nichols avoids the sappiness and focuses on the importance of context rooted within this story. Richard being a white man and Mildred being a black woman could not legally marry in 1958 due to Virginia’s anti-miscegenation laws. Upon Mildred discovering that she is pregnant the two decided to travel to D.C. to legally tie the knot. Soon afterwards, the Loving’s are arrested and forced by the judge not to return to Virginia for a suspension of 25 years.

The Loving’s decided to move to D.C. trying to continue a normal life. In 1963, after Mildred witnesses the March on Washington on TV she is inclined to write to Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy for help. That leads the Loving’s to the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), where they meet lawyer Bernie Cohen (played by a humble Kroll). Cohen decides to confer with constitutional law expert Phil Hirschkop (played by Jon Bass) and the two take on the Supreme Court. While the 1967 U.S. Supreme Court decision Loving v. Virginia is a main focal point planted within the story, Nichols’ heart and soul is really grounded in the Loving's relationship with each other. Richard and Mildred's tenderness and affection for each other will melt you away.

Nichols takes an understated direction in telling a real-life tale and fully blossoms it too life. Nichols was able to accurately tell the story by relying heavily on Nancy Buirski's documentary The Loving Story, which captured many details of the Loving's private lives: "We had this beautiful documentary footage unearthed from the mid-'60s where we got to go into their home and see them and watch them," Nichols said. Because of the Loving’s and the Supreme Court’s decision in 1967 to overturn anti-miscegenation laws nationwide, many interracial couples can embrace the full notion of all love is created equal. My wife and I have, ever since we've been together and this past June we got married. "We may lose the small battles but win the big war." 

​After the film was over, my wife nicely whispered “Tell Bernie thank you for us” to the couple sitting next to us. Loving is one of best and still most relevant films of 2016. Due to the importance of my marriage and the film’s arousing message it deserves all 5 stars. Nominated for two Golden Globes, hopefully Loving doesn’t get over looked this Oscars season. Loving paints of radiant portrait of how far we’ve come in America and yet - how far we have left to go. The Loving’s painful and heartfelt journey will truly capture your heart. Love inspires everyone. 

Loving is rated PG-13 (Parents Strongly Cautioned). For thematic elements.