Harriet Movie Review

‘Harriet’ is an American biopic honoring one of the inspiring women social activists and abolitionists, Harriet Tubman. Cynthia Erivo marvelously led the role in Harriet’s different garbs. An acclaimed woman director Kasi Lemmons directed it. Gregory Allen Howard affluently handled the screenplay and the story aside from the director. Leslie Odom Jr, Joe Alwyn, Janelle Monáe, and others are part of the stunning cast.

Plot

Minty, Brodess' slave, wishes to live a free life with her husband and family. However, her husband, John Tubman, is a freeman, but she is not. One day her father approaches the owner and says that Minty’s mother and her children were supposed to be free when she was 45. He also shows him the legal paper in proof. But a raged Brodess tears up the paper and refuses to give back their freedom. Soon Brodess, Gideon’s father, dies, followed by an advertisement to sell Minty. Overcome with fear, vulnerability, and the hopelessness of parting with her family forever, especially John, Minty decides to escape. With her father, Reverend Samuel Greene, and Thomas Garrett’s help, she gets in touch with William Still in Philadelphia. William Still is the chairman of the Pennsylvania Anti-Slavery Society. He helps her settle down under a new name Harriet Tubman, under the lodging of Marie Buchanon. But Harriet is restlessly concerned about her family and John. Refusing Still’s numerous advice to not return to Maryland, she takes Marie’s help on the journey. But the rumor of her death during the escape has spread, and John is married to another free woman. Devastated, Harriet goes back to her family in secrecy and rescues them, but her parents are unwilling to leave. Still is marveled by Harriet’s bravery and courage. He introduces her to the Underground Railroad members. She gets the position of a conductor who frees enslaved people and paves them to freedom. Eventually, she is wanted by the slave-owners under the nickname ‘Moses.’ But Harriet continues liberating numerous enslaved people, including her parents, befriending Walter in one of her missions. The epilogue speaks about her several accomplishments in freeing the enslaved people and working for women’s suffrage before she took to final rest.

Star Performance

Cynthia Erivo fabulously portrayed Harriet’s changing personality. Her bold, clever, and courageous self was undoubtedly thrilling to watch. The supporting cast brought well-developed depth to the movie.

Analysis

Freedom- a word only uttered in whispers. The beginning of the film echoes this daunting helplessness through Minty. Slavery is one of those drastic impacts of colonialism that demeaned the right of a human to the level of racism- a meaningless venture of defining people in terms of race. Nevertheless, stories of torment, suffering, and bravery deserve to attain immortality so that history doesn’t repeat itself and to remember those who fought against such atrocities. The film touches upon those notions that make Harriet worthy of remembering. It doesn’t focus much on the traumas, pains, and sufferings of slavery. Instead, it enhances the presence of solidarity and liberty among them. 

The whole movie is given a religious point of view. Starting with Harriet’s ability to ‘hear God’s voice’ to the subtle biblical references proves this strongly. Minty’s name change to Harriet, which is her mother’s name, symbolizes her identity. The language of resistance represents itself through these symbols. She is not known by the name her master called but by the name she gave herself. The movie also harps upon the theme of identity. William Still’s record of the enslaved people and their stories is another example of remembrance. It shows that even though Harriet is one of the crucial persons in making history, it doesn’t make the voices of numerous slavery survivors or victims less critical. Her journey did bring enraged goosebumps, but the ending felt abrupt.

What’s there?

• Good plot.
• Great songs.
• Amazing acting.

What’s not there?

• Fine ending.
• Polished editing.

Verdict

The movie shouldn’t be passed as ‘another slave film’ because of its importance in contemporary times. It has a good storyline, beautifully structured plot, great acting, and a gripping biopic. Thus, making it more than worthy of watching.