The premise of the movie was to show that there is redemption in believing. Cuba Gooding Jr overacts again. Sharon Leal in underused. The story centered around John Newton, slave trader, singer, poet and writer of Amazing Grace, and a family trying to escape from slavery in the South to Freedom in the North. The story could have been so much more nail-biting. I found it unbelievable and rather weird that the leads broke into song at the most inappropriate times. The story is loosely based on fact and the introduction of the true heroes of days gone by is probably enough to make the film worth a watch. Overall-disappointing.

A family of runaway slaves head for Canada on the Underground Railroad, along the way, the eldest tells the story of how the family came to America and how they first found faith.It feels like a passion project for Cuba Gooding Jr. who produced the project as well as acted in it. It was worth it.The movie does not hold back on what a dark time slavery was, which made it all more inspiring watching this family escape from it. Along the way, meeting such famous figures as Fredrick Douglas. I'm not to big on religion, so the whole Christian thing did not appeal to me at all. Cuba plays a man who gave up on God (which I feel is understandable for a slave) While the rest of his family believes that God is guiding them to freedom. I also was disinterested in the sub story of a the ship captain that reluctantly brought slaves into the States. The whole thing at times acted like a bad Broadway musical which was unattractive.Overall, it's hard to find a movie about slavery enjoyable, but I did. It was a very realistic look at the subject and worth taking a look at.

Cuba Gooding Jnr tries to resurrect his career and right away this begs two possible questions "What career would that be ?" Or "Who is Cuba Gooding Jnr ?" Oh come on guys , stop being so cruel . He hasn't done you any harm and if you sat through BOAT TRIP it's no ones fault but your own . That said this "Based on a true story" adventure is little bit cynical since it's obviously inspired by 12 YEARS A SLAVE though it's much less hard hitting . To be truthful it's not what some people have claimed as religious propaganda and certainly isn't a faith based movie in the same vein as GOD'S NOT DEAD . People in Virginia from era would indeed be evangelical bible bashers , so much so I have trouble believing that the head honcho of the posse hunting the escaped slaves makes claims he doesn't believe in God and seems invented to give black and white dichotomy on both a moral ad metaphysical level . Another annoying aspect is that it ironically plays up to racial stereotypes in that every black person who has ever lived has a lovely baritone singing voice and sing they do at every opportunity . In some ways FREEDOM cod be described as a Walt Disney equivalent of 12 YEARS A SLAVE but looking on the bright side at least we don't have Mel Gibson painting his face blue pretending to be a Scotsman

This is the worst movie I've seen in a long time, Faith and religion are persistently rammed down your throat throughout the movie. The 2 stories were disjointed and i felt arbitrarily linked.I don't understand why they choose to what seemed like worshiping John Newton (the captain of the ship delivering the slaves), it was like they were saying that he saved them by giving them his Bible but yet he still delivered his cargo of slaves which i feel conflicts with the intended purpose of the movie. Its like saying slavery is sufferable if you have religion.The characters were unconvincing, simple and predictable with scenes that were so over dramatic it was cringe worthy.