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Notes:
In 1839, fiftythree African captives take over the slave
ship Amistad. After failing in their attempt to sail home, they
find themselves strangers in a strange land and at the mercy of
the American justice system. Based on a true story.
Drama - AMISTAD is a serious, issue-oriented drama in the vein of
Spielberg's SCHINDLER'S LIST, though not nearly as powerful. The
historical detail and production are excellent, as is the lead performance
of Djimon Hounsou. The subject matter may be too intense for some
viewers, however, while others may be disappointed in the incomplete
characterizations.
PROFANITY: Mild and very infrequent. SEX/NUDITY: Male and female nudity with no sexual content. VIOLENCE: Frequent and somewhat intense. DRUGS/ALCOHOL: A small amount of alcohol. ACTION: Very little. COMEDY: A small amount of character-based humor.
AMISTAD is no SCHINDLER'S LIST. It may be unfair to make
such comparisons, but Steven Spielberg has raised expectations now for his
"serious" films. This one is a beautifully produced effort with a few
powerful moments which feels somewhat incomplete and unfocused.
Screenwriter David Franzoni keeps letting the narrative wander away from
the plight of the Africans, particularly Djimon Hounsou in a magnetic lead
performance. Too often, the supporting characters intrude to provide the
impression that the film is about them. When AMISTAD attends to the
graphic realities of slavery, it's a strong piece of work.
Otherwise...well, it's no SCHINDLER'S LIST.
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DETAILED OPINIONS
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Based on a true story, "Amistad"
is the saga of a rebellion on board a Spanish slave ship and the
trial that resulted. In the summer of 1839, fiftythree African
captives, led by CINQUE (Djimon Hounsou), broke free and took
over the slave ship Amistad. Captured off the eastern seaboard
after failing in a desperate attempt to sail home, they find themselves
strangers in a strange land and at the mercy of the American justice
system.
Fighting for the Africans are abolitionist
THEODORE JOADSON (Morgan Freeman) and young lawyer ROGER BALDWIN
(Matthew McConaughey). However, seeking reelection, President
MARTIN VAN BUREN (Nigel Hawthorne) is willing to sacrifice the
Africans to appease the proslavery South. The case takes
on historic proportions when former President JOHN QUINCY ADAMS
(Anthony Hopkins) comes out of retirement to take the Africans'
cause all the way to the United States Supreme Court in a trial
that challenges the very foundation of the American legal system.
