I mainly knew about this film because of the leading actor playing the real-life character of the film, based on the famous autobiography I was hoping this film would be interesting, directed by Justin Chadwick (The Other Boleyn Girl). Based on the true story, Nelson Mandela (Golden Globe nominated Idris Elba) is a South African lawyer, in the 1940s he joins the African National Congress, and marries Winnie Madikizela (Naomie Harris). Mandela is forced to abandon peaceful protesting for armed resistance following the Sharpeville Massacre, but Mandela pay the price, he and his comrades are sentenced to life imprisonment for treason and conspiring to overthrow the state. During his time in prison, his wife Winnie is abused by the authorities, but she eventually escapes this, Mandela's spirit is not diminished over the decades, his struggle goes on in and beyond his captivity. Mandela's cause for political change and racial equality becomes international, Winnie's determination to help her husband hardens over the years, with violent ruthlessness, eventually there are concerts, a song and other events, all campaigning to "Free Nelson Mandela". Mandela is freed from prison after 27 years in 1990, his stature rises from the renowned leader of his movement to being inaugurated as the first democratically elected president of South Africa, and he works hard to find a peaceful victory for his country, and all its peoples. Also starring Tony Kgoroge as Walter Sisulu, Riaad Moosa as Ahmed Kathrada and Jamie Bartlett as James Gregory. Elba certainly has statuesque manner to play the famous revolutionary and philanthropist, but he doesn't quite nail the accent, and Harris is good as his challenged wife, the length of the film is mostly taken up by the prison time, the film is a similar structure to The Iron Lady, just highlighting the most memorable moments in the life and career of the great man, but it is a fairly interesting and alright biographical drama. It won the Golden Globe for Best Original Song for "Ordinary Love" by U2 (it was also Oscar nominated), and it was nominated for Best Original Score for Alex Heffes, and it was nominated the BAFTA for Best British Film. Worth watching!

There have been numerous films, television programs, and documentaries that have discussed the life of Nelson Mandela. Not too mention the treasure trove of books, biographies, and interviews you can read and watch detailing his beliefs and politics. And Justin Chadwick's narrative film 'Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom' is yet another addition to the ever expanding universe of Mandela. Adapted by William Nicholson from Mandela's autobiography of the same name, this two and a half hour film seems like a long slow walk indeed, with too much to cover and some cheese sprinkled here and there. Although actor Idris Elba's performance of Mandela is one of the best I've ever seen, this long walk could have been better.We all know, or we should all know Mandela's story by now. He was an iconic, great and one of the most important people not only for South Africa, but for the world. His 27 year unjust prison sentence is just a small part of the film as we first meet Mandela in the frontier hills of South Africa being born. But as quickly as he is born we skip ahead to see him as a young lawyer, representing his clients, and even winning cases.But we soon see how South Africa turns into a white supremacist state, where all blacks have very little rights and are forced to move to shoddy housing away from everyone. Of course we see his rise as leader in the ANC (African National Congress), and a few of their plots to over throw the government. It is here, where we see Mandela's first marriage go down the tubes due to his affairs he has, as well as his work. Mandela and his fellow comrades are eventually captured and unjustly sentenced to life in prison.From this point, we slowly see Mandela age with gray hairs and wrinkles, all the while still having a strong presence, as he can move stone, rock, as well as people's views on freedom. His own views change from taking a violent approach to becoming an equal citizen to a peaceful approach. And Elba does this with grace and ease, as we believe everything he says. His body language and presence is awe-inspiring. His second wife Winnie (Naomie Harris) is a powerhouse here, as we see her take a separate path from Mandela, as she rallies people behind her and her husband's views, although her views are strictly violent, whereas Nelson's are to take a peaceful approach.What this movie has going for it is the performances by Elba and Harris. They really do carry this movie, but only so far. There are some elements that Chadwick added that seem to hit us on the nose to much and should have made us feel sad with tears, but this never truly happens, and it comes across as corny. This is not the ultimate Nelson Mandela movie, but it might be the ultimate performance of Mandela yet. For those of you who don't know a lot about this powerful figure in history, this is a good starting point, but if you are somewhat familiar, then I'd look elsewhere, although seeing Edris Elba as Mandela is a must.

Idris Elba looks nothing like Madiba and yes that matters, because no matter how good the performance is, if an actor looks nothing like the person he is portraying, I can't get as invested. For example, part of the reason why Ali was a good film was because Will Smith looks like Ali. You think the film would have been as good if they cast Eddie Murphy in the role? Another main problem with the film is that it tries way to hard to fit every aspect into the story. In doing so, ironically we miss some of the emotional intensity of certain scenes. For example, I would have loved to have seen more of him in Ruben Island. Idris Elba gives his best as well as the rest of the cast, but the script they are given gives them very little to work with.Overall, there are a few pretty shots and like I said Idris Elba does give a good performance. However, if I'm honest, the lack of similarities between Elba are too distracting and the film is definitely worth skipping.

Mandela: A Long Walk to Freedom tells of the lengthy path toward ending apartheid and the racial war in South Africa The title of the Nelson Mandela biopic is befitting of the arduous task faced by Mr. Mandela. Mandela: A Long Walk to Freedom tells of the lengthy path toward ending apartheid and the racial war in South Africa spanning some seventy years from childhood to inauguration.Most people know Nelson Mandela as he was portrayed by the media later in life; the seemingly soft spoken man who emerged from prison, endearingly called Madiba by his people. The Nelson Mandela portrayed by Idris Elba in Mandela: A Long Walk to Freedom is a far more complex person, realistic and humanistic. Idris Elba does a commendable job at portraying Mandela though I found his accent to be a bit distracting. The acting is sublime by Naomie Harris who plays Winnie, Mandela's second wife and I am disheartened that she was not formally recognized with a nomination for best supporting actress. There is something about the movie that feels slightly disconnected, as though character development was missing. I believe the issue with character development arises out of the inability to properly convey the urgency in needing change in South Africa. South Africa's desperation and growth from apartheid is just as important as a character, and being a story about Nelson Mandela, the plot's focus is lacking clarity. The story spans from Mandela's childhood to inauguration, some seven decades, and in the process feels a bit slow moving, a highlight reel of sorts.It is a difficult task but marvelous attempt leaving the viewer with a good drama that feels like a historical documentary. In the end you feel as though you know Nelson Mandela but only part of the story of South Africa.More reviews can be found in full at our website.