Idris Elba Naomie Harris Terry Pheto
The recent death of the universally revered
Nelson Mandela (Elba) makes this biography based on his memoir even more
important when it opens in many theaters on Christmas Day. Its purpose is to give an overview of
an extraordinary man’s life from his early years and coming-of-age rites,
through his disillusionment with government when he practices as a lawyer, his
early days as a sometimes violent activist, his 27-year imprisonment, and
finally to his release and his stance on forgiveness and pacifism in his later
years and subsequently being elected president of the Republic of South Africa.
One of the characteristics of Mandela
throughout his life was his value of family, even during the times when he
could not be present in the family setting during his days of activism and
imprisonment. Throughout his life
and political activities, he never lost sight of children and their
future. He and his first wife, Evelyn
Mase (Pheto), became estranged after the death of their daughter and his
increasing involvement in politics.
Eventually, Evelyn left Mandela and took their son to live with her
brother, and they divorced. During
the divorce proceedings, he began seeing Winnie Madikizela (Harris), whom he
married six months after the divorce was final. Winnie was active in the same movement as Mandela, and was arrested
herself and jailed for a time.
Throughout his imprisonment for sabotage and
violence, first at Robben Island and later at Victor Verster, he and Winnie
stayed married. After his release,
however, because of her continued advocacy of violence and his increasing
belief that nonviolence was a better approach, he decided they should separate
and divorce, despite his abiding love for her.
In covering Mandela’s and Winnie’s political
activities across so many years, the film can only highlight some of the
important events, but it does a good job in showing Mandela’s transitions among
different stands at different times on the need for violence. He begins with a nonviolent stance,
then feels forced after a police massacre to advocate for more aggressive
resistance, and finally, especially during his imprisonment—during which time
he studied a great deal—coming to his ultimate belief in the need for
reconciliation among all races. He
firmly believed that this could only be achieved through forgiveness.
This British production directed by Justin
Chadwick with a screenplay by William Nelson is concise in presenting such a
long history of a rich, colorful individual. Its 2½ hour-long presentation holds interest throughout for
this fascinating historical figure.
Idris Elba is marvelous in playing the title role, and even though he
does not really resemble Mandela physically, his mannerisms and tone are
entirely convincing. Similarly,
Naomie Harris captures the fiery personality of Winnie, and when the two actors
are together on screen they obviously convey the deep affection that held the
two spouses together for so long during many separations.
Because Mandela’s life had so many significant
events, I think it would be helpful for the viewer to inform him/herself to
some extent beforehand to be able to follow such a fast pace.
A comprehensive look at the long,
significant life of Nelson Mandela
Grade: A- By Donna R. Copeland
