"Amistad" -- What an Interesting Film Mr. Spielberg...

Steven Spielberg's "Amistad" made up for the disappointment I felt after watching "The Lost World," and so many other films in 1997. "Amistad" proved two things to me, one, that Spielberg is still one of our greatest directors, and two, that good movies can still be brought to glorious life!

"Amistad" is a film about a slave rebellion that took place on a ship in 1839, in which the black slaves on board break loose and kill their captors. The ship eventually runs ashore in America, where questions are raised as to what happened to the crew. The ship of blacks are held accountable and put on trial for their "crimes." And it's through this trial that we learn about America's past, it's justice system and it's humanity.

Spielberg assembles a wonderful cast with Anthony Hopkins, Matthew McConaughey, Morgan Freeman and with newcomer Djimond Hounsou. I don't want to say too much about this film, because I don't want to give it away, or try to put the emotions I felt into false sounding words.

One criticism levelled at the film was that it spent too much time in the courtroom. I don't think it does, and the critics who say that must have slipped out to the washroom when they retold the tail of the treacheries that occurred to the blacks on the ship with a flashback that moved me to tears.

But "Amistad" doesn't show us too much violence, Spielberg understands that we've seen this violence before, and he knows that we understand it's place. So more is gained through hints than actual, hard-core footage.

I also like the approach taken to defend the black men's crime. The defense treats the crime as an issue of property, not of murder or rebellion. His approach indirectly raises questions of humanity and what is the right approach. It's fascinating and interesting to watch.

But the film really stands as a showcase for the brilliant Anthony Hopkins. Here he plays former President John Quincy Adams. And he is amazing, playing a man trying to come to grips with his convictions.

"Amistad" is an unusually gripping and thought provoking film. And of the approximate 130 films I've seen in 1997, none were as emotionally moving as "Amistad" was.

Grade: A

(Originally reviewed on December 29, 1997)