DANIELLE DEADWYLER THE WOMAN THAT YOU ARE!!!!!!!!!!

My head literally hurt from how hard I cried watching this, but to my surprise (and satisfaction), this was far from the “Black trauma porn” many were worried it would be from the first trailer. Writer/director Chinonye Chukwu treats this material with the tender thoughtfulness it deserves, truthfully honoring Mamie’s heartache, but sensitively showcasing her riveting rise as a major figure in the civil rights movement all the same. It’s a tricky tightrope to walk, but Chukwu makes it look like child’s play.

Still, at the end of the day, Till belongs to Danielle Deadwyler first and foremost, who delivers one of the greatest depictions of grief I’ve ever seen in cinema and, in a just world, should not just be a sure thing for an Oscar nomination for Best Actress, but a real threat to win as well.

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Devastating to watch, and the worst of it is that we haven't come very far since then.

Danielle Deadwyler gives a powerhouse performance in the tragic and true story of Emmett Till and Mamie Till-Mobley. It’s straightforward narratively and doesn’t offer much new if you don’t already know of this story, but this is one of those cases where the power of the true story itself stands the film up on it’s own. Plus, I always love a film with a long cold open. 

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Degrees of Kevin Bacon: 1
1. Sean Patrick Thomas and Kevin Bacon in Picture Perfect

This is one of those tragic tales I've heard before but never knew the full facts of; it's the kind of story that does more than just crush your heart; it also makes you question humanity, or at least, certain groups. Beyond the premise, you have an excellent lead performance from Danielle Deadwyler, who manages in many ways to elevate the film by conveying the few moments of happiness despite the great emotional hit, both personal and maternal, that she endured, making one believe her every tear and pain.

All in all, though the film at times seems limited in part by a script that offers nothing new beyond the particular story, thanks in part to an incredible lead performance, if you're a fan of the story, it's a film I'd say is worth seeing.

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Till

Devastating and necessary, Till is a dazzling celebration of a legendary black woman who turned her bone-crushing trauma into a never-ending drive to battle racism. Danielle Deadwyler is such a force of nature playing the titular character in this heartbreaking story that's equal parts historical and personal. In a scenario where histrionics is mostly excused, Deadwyler has offered her own version of a quite restrained yet sympathetic Mamie Till. Director Chinonye Chukwu was equally efficient with her efforts to rid of the genre tropes, via a dynamic camera work and style.

Some things change, and some stay the same. Till is the type of well-executed biographic drama that's both artistically valuable and historically introspective. Highly recommended.

Difficult; educational; engaging; important; infuriating; overlong; predictable; restrained; sad; straightforward; tragic; unhurried; well-acted; well-made.

Till doesn't contain many moments of spectacular or innovative filmmaking but Chinonye Chukwu is smart enough to give her superb cast the room to play out events with emotional honesty and sensitivity. Danielle Deadwyler gives a flawless performance as Mamie Till-Mobley, her face wearing the pain that should never have been endured, as well boundless strength and courage. Though the film sometimes feels too similar to other biographical dramas, both aesthetically and structurally, it's hard not to be invested in this competently told fight for justice.

There is no world in which Danielle Deadwyler - who gives one of the most powerful performances of the year in Till - shouldn't be a sure thing for an Oscar nomination (if not a threat to WIN), and The Academy better take note ASAP.

More thoughts on her heart-wrenching work on We Live Entertainment

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