The movie “Loving,” out this week, is a beautifully shot, historically significant and likely to be Oscar-nominated portrait of the fantastically named couple responsible for the Supreme Court case that legalized interracial marriage in 1967.
Too bad you never really get to know its main characters.
Richard Loving, who was white, and Mildred Jeter, who was black and Native American, married in Washington, DC, in 1958. Upon returning to their home state of Virginia, they were arrested and jailed for their union, which was illegal in 24 states at that time.
Crazy, right? Especially to younger audiences, who may well not have known these laws ever existed. It’s an obviously perfect topic for a biopic, helmed by Jeff Nichols (“Midnight Special”).
And therein lies the problem, one that’s not exclusive to this Oscar-season release: Biopics have a tendency to reduce their subjects to symbols, leaving out details that might render their subjects too complicated.
Ruth Negga, as Mildred, is all quiet resolve and infinite patience as her character is infuriatingly forced to stay in a jail cell while her husband is released without her (much to his chagrin). Joel Edgerton disappears into the character of Richard — he’s fast becoming one of the most interesting cinematic chameleons of our times — but, beyond a few objections to going too public with their case, never really evolves beyond being a Good Man.
See “Loving” as tribute to the memory of Richard and Mildred Loving, who fought for what was right and won. Then, seek out Nancy Buirski’s 2012 documentary, “The Loving Story” (airing 5:30 p.m. Friday on HBO Signature East; check local listings), to begin to get to know the people behind the heroism.