Review: Ruth Negga and Joel Edgerton shine in ‘Loving’

Ruth Negga and Joel Edgerton in “Loving” from Focus Features

The movie, “Loving” tells the real-life story of Richard and Mildred Loving, an interracial couple whose marriage, which was illegal at the time in their native state of Virginia. 

At the time, 16 other States had similar laws, known as “anti-miscegenation” laws leading up to the Supreme Court Case Loving v. Virginia. 

The case marked a groundbreaking moment in Civil Rights history that declared any law prohibiting interracial marriage, unconstitutional. 

The name is fitting for the movie which shows the strong love the Lovings had for one another. Ruth Negga and Joel Edgerton shine in their subtle yet powerful performances. Writer and director, Jeff Nichols, appears to channel the couple’s laid back easy go lucky style giving it an energy that fits a country lifestyle. 

The depiction of racism during the couple’s first arrest is moving and poignant but doesn’t punch you in the gut like civil rights movies in recent years. 

Richard when leaving his bricklayer job to return home to his family finds a brick in the front seat of his car covered with the Life Magazine feature, Richard knows that it’s a threat to his family. 

Not wanting the spotlight and seemingly unaffected by the meaning of the case, their motives were to be able to live in their hometown. The couple chooses to skip the final hearing and when their lawyer for the case asks Richard if there was anything he wanted to say about the case. Richard’s response, “Tell the judge ‘I Love My Wife.'”

This one is sure to be recognized at Oscar time having already recognition at The Golden Globes and is on numerous film critics lists. The movie’s stars shine bright, both receiving Golden Globe nominations for Best Actor and Best Actress in a Motion Picture Drama. 

Loving (2016)

Starring Joel Edgerton, Ruth Negga, Alonzo Miller, and Michael Sheen.

Synopsis: From acclaimed writer/director Jeff Nichols (“Take Shelter,” “Mud,” “Midnight Special”), LOVING celebrates the real-life courage and commitment of an interracial couple, Richard and Mildred Loving (Joel Edgerton and Ruth Negga), who married and then spent the next nine years fighting for the right to live as a family in their hometown. Their civil rights case, Loving v. Virginia, went all the way to the Supreme Court, which in 1967 reaffirmed the very foundation of the right to marry – and their love story has become an inspiration to couples ever since.

Rated PG-13

Written and Directed by Jeff Nichols