Behind the Movement
By Emily Ashby,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Insightful biopic tells story behind momentous bus boycott.
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What's the Story?
The events leading up to the momentous Montgomery Bus Boycott of 1955 provide the plot for BEHIND THE MOVEMENT. The story begins with the lynching of Emmett Till, then turns to a soft-spoken seamstress named Rosa Parks (Meta Golding), who refuses to relinquish her bus seat to a white passenger on December 1, 1955. Her subsequent arrest provides a rallying point for the local African American community, with leaders E.D. Nixon (Isaiah Washington) and Martin Luther King Jr. (Shaun Clay) collaborating with pastors to execute a sweeping boycott of the municipal bus system and strategizing to use Rosa's court case to take their cause to higher courts.
Is It Any Good?
True to its title, this movie tells the powerful story behind the now-familiar scenes of the Montgomery Bus Boycott and broader civil rights movement. It introduces Rosa Parks, played in impassioned fashion by Golding, and moves quickly through the events surrounding her arrest, on to the remarkable story of how a group of ordinary people used this tiny spark to ignite a revolution. Even with their shared goal, though, there are differences of opinion and pushback in surprising places, but also beacons of hope that help offset fear as they take this gargantuan step toward racial equality.
Behind the Movement is not an action movie. It's driven by dialogue and long pauses, giving viewers the chance to reflect just as the characters do. It's inspiring, captivating, and tense, even with prior knowledge of how the story plays out in the end. It pays homage to the mixed emotions felt by many of the people involved, who had to weigh their safety and that of their families against a broader cause, no matter how just. In other words, it's a fitting and insightful tribute to a generation of people who took a stand against inequality and paved the way for brighter futures for generations to come.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about standing up for what's right. What causes inspire you in a similar way to those in Behind the Movement? Is it wrong to consider personal safety when deciding whether to put yourself on the front line of a cause? What moved this many courageous people to make that choice during the 1950s? Why is courage an important character strength?
How do we treat historical heroes like Rosa Parks and Martin Luther King Jr. in comparison to idols in the sports or entertainment worlds? Who are some of your kids' role models?
How far have we come from the race relations of the 1950s? Do we still have need for change? If so, where and how? How would you define true racial equality? Are racial stereotypes still portrayed in the media?
TV Details
- Premiere date: February 11, 2018
- Cast: Meta Golding , Isaiah Washington , Shaun Clay
- Network: TV One
- Genre: Drama
- Topics: Great Boy Role Models , Great Girl Role Models , History
- Character Strengths: Courage , Perseverance
- TV rating: NR
- Last updated: September 20, 2019
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