Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom

Cast of Characters:

Nelson Mandela - Idris Elba

Winnie Madikizela-Mandela - Naomie Harris

Walter Sisulu - Tony Kgoroge

Director - Justin Chadwick

Screenplay - William Nicholson

Based on the autobiography Long Walk to Freedom by Nelson Mandela

Rated PG-13 for some intense sequences of violence and disturbing images, sexual content and brief strong language

      Idris Elba and Naomie Harris star in Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom, based on Mandela's 1995 autobiography.

      As a young lawyer in South Africa, Nelson Mandela (Idris Elba) is attempting to petition the government for equality. After one of his friends gets drunk and is beaten by law enforcement officials, Mandela helps form the African National Congress (ANC) to protest the mistreatment of the black Africans.

      Following the bombing of a political office by the ANC, Mandela is sent to trial and faces the possibility of the death penalty, but is instead sentenced to life in prison. He was released 27 years later.

      For the past ten or so years, Idris Elba has proven himself to be a more than dependable screen presence. Despite starring in a few clunkers (Takers, The Losers, The Reaping, and that God awful Ghost Rider film), Elba has delivered solid supporting work whether it was Pacific Rim earlier this year, last year's Prometheus, the two Thor films, 28 Weeks Later, being a foil for Steve Carell in The Office, or getting his brains blown out by Denzel Washington in American Gangster. Like Chiwetel Ejiofor in 12 Years a Slave last month, though, Elba should finally get noticed for his work here in Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom. While not someone I'd initially have imagined playing the former South African leader, Elba sells the performance in ways sure to garner awards consideration. Equally impressive is Naomie Harris as Winnie Mandela. Like her costar, Harris has popped up in a number of films in the past decade, but never really got an opportunity to show what she's capable of like she gets here. While the story takes us through decade to decade of Nelson and Winnie's struggles that are harrowing and powerful at times, or at least as harrowing as PG-13 will allow, at times director Justin Chadwick and screenwriter William Nicholson get a little too ambitious with the storytelling, which details the events of Mandela's life from his time as a young lawyer up until when he was elected president in 1994. It's never an easy task to write a film that spans at least three to four decades and while the film clocks in at almost two and a half hours, there were moments here and there that felt a bit rushed in order to fit as many life events as they could. We also get a scene near the beginning with Mandela having an affair that seemed slightly unnecessary. I can certainly understand why the filmmakers chose to show that, wanting an unbiased, balanced portrayal of Mandela as a flawed human, which - like everyone else - he was. However, the moment felt forced in there for the sake of showing us he wasn't perfect. Flaws and all considered, this is still an effective biopic based on the powerful performances of the two leads. If the story doesn't have your attention at times, Elba's stirring delivery, whether it's him standing trial or addressing the nation, will.

      It's not a perfect film. The narrative could've been polished some and better editing choices could've been made, but this is far from a bad film. Idris Elba and Naomie Harris's award worthy performances carry this film from beginning to end are enough to make this a worthwhile watch. Here's hoping Elba gets more lead opportunities 'cause he shows he's got what it takes. I give Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom a B+ (★★★½).