Film Analysis: ‘Rustin’ – Colman Domingo Delivers a Formidable Performance

In what became the most sizable march in the history of the United States up to that point, the March on Washington served as the backdrop for Reverend Martin Luther King Jr.’s legendary “I Have a Dream” speech. At the helm of this monumental event was Bayard Rustin, an African American gay socialist, and pacifist from Pennsylvania, whose strategic acumen and bond with King fueled the nascent Civil Rights Movement.

Netflix’s triumphant offering, “Rustin,” directed by George C. Wolfe, delves into the tumultuous weeks leading to the march, seen through the lens of the grassroots efforts. Colman Domingo stars as the unsung organizer whose contributions are widely unrecognized.

Domingo embodies Rustin with a dynamic mix of charm, humor, ardor, and a magnetic presence, marrying an exemplary script with an equally impressive performance.

The film not only boasts Domingo’s performance but also showcases a plethora of talent. This includes Jeffrey Wright’s portrayal of Rep. Adam Clayton Powell, Adrienne Warren’s appearance, along with Kevin Mambo, Audra McDonald, Chris Rock as the NAACP’s Roy Wilkins, and Glynn Turman portraying labor leader A. Philip Randolph. Each actor delivers a compelling performance, however brief their on-screen time might be.

Notable cameos fill the biopic, with Da’Vine Joy Randolph as Mahalia Jackson, Michael Potts, CCH Pounder, and Aml Ameen in a subtle rendition of Martin Luther King Jr.

The film’s musical landscape is equally commendable, with Branford Marsalis crafting a jazz-inspired score and Lenny Kravitz contributing an original composition, “Road to Freedom.”

“Rustin” benefits from the patronage of Barack and Michelle Obama’s production company, Higher Ground, underlining the film’s significance – Barack Obama honored Rustin with a posthumous Presidential Medal of Freedom.

The narrative goes beyond the logistics of organizing the March on Washington, painting a poignant portrait of Rustin, who was compelled to conceal his sexuality, a revelation that could jeopardize not only his career but also the entire Civil Rights Movement.

The screenplay by Julian Breece and Dustin Lance Black artfully addresses the internal conflicts within the movement and the harsh homophobic sentiments of the 1960s, interspersed with stark flashbacks to 1942 in black and white.

Audiences are taken to rarely seen venues, such as training sessions for Black police officers in nonviolence, and gatherings in Manhattan apartments where activists shared personal segregation stories to garner financial support.

The climax of the film, portraying the march itself, is a deft blend of original footage with historical clips. Despite fears of underattendance, the film’s portrayal of Rustin showcases unwavering determination, even when faced with skeptical media.

“Rustin,” distributed by Netflix, is slated for select theatrical release on Friday, followed by streaming availability on November 17. The film, with a PG-13 rating for various thematic elements, including violence, sexual content, brief drug use, racial epithets, and language, has a run time of 108 minutes and earns a rating of three and a half stars out of four.

For further information, the film can be accessed at www.netflix.com/Rustin.

Mark Kennedy’s insights on the film can be found at http://twitter.com/KennedyTwits.

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• Colman Domingo’s performance in “Rustin”
• Civil Rights Movement biopic “Rustin” details
• George C. Wolfe directs “Rustin”
• Notable cast in “Rustin”
• Branford Marsalis’s score for “Rustin”
• Higher Ground production of “Rustin”
• Streaming “Rustin” on Netflix
• Mark Kennedy’s Twitter for more insights