Freedom's Path

This drama has a surprisingly nostalgic feel, like films about Black history from the 1980s and '90s. Like Glory, Mississippi Burning, and other films involving White Americans learning about and empathizing with the Black experience before becoming staunch allies, Freedom's Path follows a standard trajectory. And, based on its plot alone, you might think that the movie is reductive, especially considering that the lauded films of the past have in more recent years been criticized for how they used Blackness as an object or tool to teach White characters things they should already know about themselves and others. Those films have also been criticized for centering White characters in an otherwise Black story. While you could certainly say much of the same about Freedom's Path and its focus on White feelings, the film also makes a point to show how Black people have been paramount in their own fight for freedom, whether or not anyone else would help them.

All of that said, the fate of many of the movie's Black characters might raise some eyebrows. Is this another case of Black death being used as a teaching tool? Your answer will depend on how you feel about the film's ending. But, overall, Freedom's Path is a good film that teaches viewers about Civil War-era sentiments regarding the country's racial caste system. It also explores how brotherhood and family ties can be created regardless of race. Cyler and Howell bring depth to their characters, and the supporting cast gives viewers a lasting feeling of warmth and happiness. Evoking these feelings is one of the best ways to teach empathy and compassion.