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In summary, the new Netflix movie about Shirley Chisholm, a groundbreaking politician and former presidential candidate, makes a strong statement. The opening scene features a visualization of the House of Representatives in 1968, highlighting the lack of diversity with only 11 female members, 5 of whom were Black, and no Black women at all. This is further emphasized in the official congressional class photo, where Chisholm (played by Regina King) is the only Black woman among a large group of white men. While the CGI-ed Capitol dome may be obvious, the message is clear: Chisholm’s presence in the traditionally male-dominated world of politics was revolutionary and her battle was an uphill one.
The image in question is also appropriate for Shirley, a film directed and written by John Ridley, which provides valuable insight into the often overlooked importance of Chisholm as the first Black woman to run for president. However, the film may have a tendency to overly explain Chisholm’s groundbreaking 1972 campaign. Following this portrayal, King’s Shirley uses an accurately portrayed West Indian accent to assert herself by standing up to an older, white senator who belittles her salary and demanding a better committee assignment from the House speaker after being given a subpar role in agriculture. Chisholm, previously known as St. Hill, grew up between Brooklyn and Barbados, although her pre-political background is not thoroughly explored in the film and viewers may need to refer to outside sources for more information.
King adds a strong sense of dignity to Chisholm’s character, but her bold declarations can sometimes be difficult to manage. The speaker warns Chisholm that not following the expectations could damage her career before it even begins, causing her to narrow her eyes in response. In late 1971, Chisholm comments on the presidential candidates, pointing out their shared demographic of middle-aged white men. Her advisors, including experienced organizers Townsend and Holder and aspiring lawyer Gottlieb, urge her to adjust her stance on issues such as abortion and bussing to suit different states. However, Chisholm stands her ground and insists on including all nuances in her message.
Shirley’s preferred style is not quite as nuanced, as she tends to be overt and emphasized. There is minimal emphasis on why Chisholm chooses to pursue a seemingly impossible campaign, aside from her desire to make a difference and break barriers. Shirley urges a disheartened young Black woman named Barbara Lee to be a part of the political process, and Lee goes on to become a campaign worker and eventually a congresswoman from California. Despite moments of skillful filmmaking, such as flashbacks to a traumatic event and lively community montages, Ridley’s direction is generally straightforward and occasionally awkward.
Many key figures in traditional male biopics are often relegated to supporting roles, but this film gives them a chance to shine. Michael Cherrie portrays Conrad, who understands his place as Chisholm’s “shadow” in their non-traditional marriage. Reina King, playing Chisholm’s sister Muriel St Hill, quietly harbors resentment towards Chisholm’s political success, a complex dynamic that deserved more attention. The talented Amirah Vann brings Diahann Carroll to life, providing exposition and adding some 70s Hollywood flair as the connection between Chisholm and an endorsement from Huey Newton (Brad James) and the Black Panthers in California. We also see a hint of romantic tension between Chisholm and her advisor Arthur Hardwick Jr (Terrence Howard from “Empire”), whom she would eventually marry after divorcing Conrad in 1977.
Shirley’s disciplined speech and optimistic attitude, even in moments of letdown, disloyalty, and failure, bring to mind Rustin, the biographical film from Netflix featuring Colman Domingo as civil rights advocate Bayard Rustin, a contemporary of Chisholm. Despite being a realist, Rustin can be seen in old videos discouraging Black voters from backing Chisholm at the 1972 Democratic convention. Similarly, Shirley is dedicated to reclaiming and educating others about a history that should be common knowledge.
By portraying Shirley as a symbol of hope and possibility, the character loses some of her complexity and becomes a polished and wise figure. This reinforces a powerful message, but comes at the expense of her individuality. In contrast, Uzo Aduba’s portrayal of Shirley in a 2020 limited series delves deeper into her prickly and impatient side, and explores her complicated relationship with the predominantly white women’s liberation movement.
Chisholm was frequently correct about the specific policies, to be just. Shirley’s run for presidency, which was heavily criticized at the time, is now seen as validation of her influence on future generations, with both positive and negative connotations. The movie is one of a few attempting to portray lesser-known, deserving individuals through a standard biopic structure. While Shirley is effective, I wish it did more justice to her multifaceted character.
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Shirley is available on Netflix on 22 March
Source: theguardian.com
