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WSWS : Correspondence : Art & Culture

A reader comments on Amistad

4 March 1998

I could not agree more with Mr. Walsh's review of Amistad--a true embarrassment for all concerned and the direct result of identity politics. My children, twelve and fifteen, went to see it with the highest expectations; they came out thoroughly disappointed and very critical of the clichés, incredible stupidity, revolting melodrama, and historical inaccuracies that plagued the film from beginning to end. Not one moment was believable, not one character rang true. Even Morgan Freeman was unwatchable and now we must conclude that his gravitas has worn out its welcome. The dialogue was so bad that my wife and I often cringed in our seats. Black people have been done a great disservice in this country with such drivel.

Why in the world did Spielberg have to resort to such melodramatic cutaways, lingering shots of characters discovering "the truth," etc. We were afraid that during the last scene Cinque and Roger Baldwin were going to fall into a rapturous embrace in order to satisfy the gay audience.

I have limited my comments to a very narrow area. Mr. Walsh has done an admirable, thoughtful job of dealing with the content matter.

BB
20 Feb 1998

See Also:
WSWS film review: Amistad's failings
[18 February 1998]
Amistad: Some historical considerations
[18 February 1998]