Rating summary
Movie | | 4.0 |
Video | | 3.5 |
Audio | | 5.0 |
Extras | | 3.5 |
Overall | | 4.0 |
Loving Blu-ray Movie Review
Reviewed by Brian Orndorf February 10, 2017
Writer/director Jeff Nichols is enjoying an amazing creative streak, crafting thought-provoking, atmospheric features that highlight outstanding
performances and intimate emotions, exploring soft-spoken types experiencing tremendous psychological turmoil. There’s been “Mud” and “Take
Shelter,” and Nichols even sampled sci-fi with last spring’s “Midnight Special,” a fascinating movie that few people saw, as major studios tend not to
know what to do with sophisticated, unusual deviations from the norm. “Loving” is perhaps his most human picture, inspecting real-world turmoil born
from a legal fight for civil rights, but the helmer’s tempo and attention to detail remain, treating the corners of this tale as importantly as everything
else. “Loving” has its missteps, but it’s a typically strong effort from an increasingly reliable filmmaker.
In the late 1950s, white Richard Loving (Joel Edgerton) carried on a relationship with Mildred (Ruth Negga), a black woman. While their families were
supportive to a certain extent, staying out of their business, the lawmakers in Virginia were against the union, forcing the couple to travel to
Washington, D.C. to get married. Returning home, Richard and Mildred are promptly jailed and prosecuted for their marital crime, threatened with 25
years apart if they try to remain together. Moving to Washington to carry on with their lives and manage the raising of multiple children, Richard
keeps up his daily routine, but Mildred longs for country life and the comfort of her family, inspiring a return to Virginia, exposing them to legal
repercussions that threaten to destroy everything they’ve created together, including a home built by Richard that symbolizes their life of respect and
love.
Nichols isn’t one to force a moment, taking his time with “Loving,” which spends most of its first half exploring the relationship between Richard and
Mildred, and how their interracial union is processed by the outside world. The screenplay is careful to note every thought flowing through Richard
and Mildred, but it plays this constant churning of fears and frustrations as silently as possible, presenting Edgerton and Negga with an acting
challenge that finds them mastering most scenes with knowing looks and defensive body language, as the couple spends a significant portion of the
feature expecting the worst to happen. The stillness of “Loving” is powerful and communicative, with Nichols constructing a vivid understanding of
racial hostility during this volatile time without going overboard with stereotypes, finding only a local sheriff coming close to screen exaggeration,
especially when played by Marton Csokas, a problematic casting choice that feeds into exhausted Glaring White Men formula.
This saga has been told before, in the 2011 documentary “The Loving Story,” inspiring Nichols to head in a different direction to detail Richard and
Mildred’s struggle, which eventually takes them to the Supreme Court courtesy of the ACLU and lawyer Bernie (Nick Kroll), who doesn’t have any
experience with this type of racially charged case. While the inside of a courtroom is seen, “Loving” stays as far away from testimony and gavel
banging as it can, preferring to inspect the human side of the battle, with Mildred especially worn thin by all the upheaval. She’s the product of a good
home with a tight family, but her devotion to Richard keeps her on the move, longing for stability in the Virginia fields she loves. Richard is also put in
a tight spot, fighting to build a foundation for his relationship while skin color constantly gets in the way. Tension is found at home, with hard looks
greeting the arrival of speeding automobiles (always a sign that tragedy is coming), and guilt is the anchor that keeps Richard in place, often unable
to protect his wife when she needs him.
Loving Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality
"Loving" is a rare modern production actually shot on 35mm film, but the AVC encoded image (2.35:1 aspect ratio) presentation doesn't celebrate the
artistic choice as thrillingly as it could. The viewing experience looks darkened and flattened, and while artifacting is minimal, it doesn't always appear to
secure cinematographic purity. Delineation struggles intermittently, inching toward solidification as dense hairstyles and limited lighting challenge frame
information. Colors are acceptable, providing period hues and strong greenery, but interior lighting encourages an overwhelming yellowish tint that's
perhaps intentional, but makes everything look sickly. The overall image looks much better when blasted with light, allowing for more vibrant rural hues
and period costuming. Detail is also much better in the sun, picking up on aging nuances and set decoration, while farmland distances are dimensional.
Loving Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality
The 5.1 DTS-HD MA sound mix is tasked with creating a gentle sway of dramatic urgency and tender moments of love. It's successful, leading with
defined dialogue exchanges that pick up on accent attempts and changes in personality, often matching bold, loud lawyers with hushed, mumbled Loving
speak. Group activity is also precise. Scoring cues are supportive, maintaining position and mood throughout, and soundtrack selections are fresh and
inviting, with ideal instrumentation. Surrounds are engaged but not tasked with much more than basic depth, delivering enveloping separation with city
visits as distant vehicles move around the listener, and farmland expanse is explored. Interior echo with courtroom and office visits are preserved, and
sound effects are comfortably balanced.
Loving Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras
- Commentary features writer/director Jeff Nichols.
- "Making 'Loving'" (4:28, HD) is a short summary of production intent, with cast and crew gathered (including co-producer
Colin Firth) to discuss the thematic goal of the production, inspired by the documentary about the Lovings and their legal battles. Shooting in Virginia is
highlighted, along with urgency to tell this particular story of racial hostility in this volatile day and age.
- "A 'Loving' Ensemble" (4:07, HD) turns attention to the actors, with Nichols and select production participants discussing how
the main roles were filled. Negga was found during the audition process, while Edgerton caught Nichols's eye during their time making "Midnight Special."
It's a celebratory piece, spotlighting performances, but interesting character considerations and inspirations are shared.
- "'Loving' vs. Virginia" (4:26, HD) explores the true story that inspired the feature, dissecting the Racial Integrity Act, which
was the law that attempted to legally divide the Lovings. Cast and crew share their opinions on the real-life Lovings, and there's a glimpse of "Loving Day
2016" in New York City, where interracial couples gathered to share their thoughts on partnership.
- "Virginia: A 'Loving' Backdrop" (3:09, HD) opens with thoughts from Virginia governor Terry McAuliffe, establishing this
featurette as something of a commercial for local production offerings, trying to entice companies to make movies there. Cast and crew express their
appreciation for Bowling Green location support, and Nichols details his thoughts after visiting Richard and Mildred's country home.
- A Theatrical Trailer has not been included.
Loving Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation
"Loving" isn't completely humorless. Michael Shannon (a frequent Nichols collaborator) has a gentle cameo as a Time Magazine photographer sent to
observe the Lovings, understanding the importance of their union, adding defined energy to the movie. It's a nice break from all the introspection, but
tender moments still guide "Loving," which handles itself best when celebrating Richard and Mildred's attachment as it's attacked from all sides. Maybe
this isn't Nichols's strongest picture, but he does a laudable job steering the effort away from extended cliché, keeping attention on the twosome and
their special connection, which began between two people and eventually changed America.