Loving is a historical-drama film directed and written by Jeff Nichols. It stars Joel Edgerton and Ruth Negga as Richard and Mildred Loving, who were the plaintiffs in the 1967 U.S. Supreme Court case Loving v. Virginia, the landmark trial that invalidated state laws prohibiting interracial marriage.
The film was released in theatres on November 4, 2016, by Focus Features. Loving follows the courtship and marriage of Mildred Jeter, a black woman, with Richard Loving, a white man. Mildred becomes pregnant and they travel to D.C. to marry in secret. However, the two are soon discovered and arrested, each sentenced to prison in Virginia in 1958, because their interracial marriage violated the state’s anti-miscegenation laws. They are able to get probation if they agree to leave the state of Virginia for 25 years. Exiled to Washington, D.C., they sue the state of Virginia in a series of proceedings leading to the Supreme Court’s unanimous decision in Loving v. Virginia, which holds that laws prohibiting interracial marriage are unconstitutional.
Director Nichols was able to tell the story of the Loving family as accurately as possible by relying on Nancy Buirski’s documentary The Loving Story (2011), which captured many details of the private lives of the Loving couple.
The film was extremely poignant in its portrayal of the couple, who defied all odds to maintain their home and family. There was always a breathtakingly suspenseful undercurrent. The movie led the audience through one challenge after another as the couple fought to love and stay married, despite the fear and hatred that they endured daily.
Edgerton’s performance was powerful. Determined but thoughtful and quiet, as Richard Loving, he consistently portrayed a strong desire to protect his family, despite the multiple attempts made to shame him and make him feel unable to change the circumstances. “I can take care of you.” He cried to his wife. A grieving man’s simple, but profound statement in the helpless situation.
Negga captured the character of Mildred with a quiet strength. Her subtle grace and charm made her likeable and endeared her to the audience who cheered on her persistence and determination.
This film was brilliant in its portrayal of what director Nichols calls, “The greatest love story ever told,” and has been well-received by audiences and critics alike. I recommend this film to audiences of all ages. During such turbulent racial times in America, it is a heartfelt reminder that love always wins in the end.
Loving opens Friday, November 18th in Nashville theaters.
Photo courtesy of Focus Features