In recent times there has been a tendency to focus on one period or aspect of a person’s life when making a biopic. Lincoln, a film that I think will grow in reputation over the years to come, was a great example of that last year. Mandela: A Long Walk to Freedom is bucking that trend by trying to tell almost the whole story of the great man’s life.
It covers a brief glimpse of his childhood, before moving onto his time as a young solicitor and as a husband in his first unsuccessful marriage in the 1940s. It is in that period that his politics become more radicalised resulting in his involvement in violent protest and his arrest and imprisonment. The film ends with his emotional release and rise to presidency of South Africa.
Even at nearly two and a half hours long that it a lot of ground to cover and the film really suffers as a result of trying to do so. For example, the appalling Sharpeville massacre in 1960 passes by in a flash, only briefing touching on the background to it and the international outcry afterwards. In fact, more time is devoted to his wedding to Winnie Madikizela, and whilst his relationship with her is rightly covered in more detail later in the film, the scenes of that wedding add nothing to the narrative.
I would have rather seen a film centered on the period around when that massacre occurred and going into more detail about Mandela’s decision to use violence and the situations he became involved with as a result. Alternatively, a film based on the time after his release and the political manoeuvrings needed to reduce tensions and allow a more democratic system which resulted in this election would have been a very different but potentially fascinating film.
Instead a large proportion of the film is spent with Nelson on Robben Island. Whilst it is a key part of his story in many ways, it is by far the least interesting part of the movie. It seems harsh to say it, but the characters present – the cynical governor, sadistic head guard, the one guard who befriends him – feel like clichés straight from every prison based film that we have seen.
Having said what the shortcomings are, what does make the film stand out are the brilliant performances of Idris Elba as Nelson and Naomi Harris as Winnie. Whilst not physically resembling Mandela, Elba captures his voice, mannerisms and dignified presence very well. Harris expertly shows how she changed from supportive wife to vengeful force of nature following his mistreatment by the authorities. It is those two performances that make this worthy effort worth catching.
Rating: 6 out of 10