LOVING (Jeff Nichols)

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I just only realized the Director Jeff Nichols’s absolute genius when I saw his film Midnight Special.  That one hooked me with it’s totally underplayed sci-fi magical realism.  Loving is his new one and, like the last, is superbly acted which I always love.  That said this guy, Jeff Nichols, makes such amazing choices on so many levels that I can’t help but say that he is in a league of his own.  This specific story is so subtle and so powerful and has NONE of the dumb, violent, (overly) dramatic moments that we all expect in filmed entertainment.  The drama and beauty of this movie all happens because real believable people do ordinary things that are profound and normal and fantastic.  Joel Edgerton physically transforms himself into a guy that is totally original but also so real that I couldn’t stop being amazed by him.  Ruth Negga, whom I have never heard of or seen before, blew me away.  I can’t imagine that every person who sees this movie will not fall deeply in love with her.  She (and her character (thanks Jeff)) personifies beautiful on the inside and out.  This story is about an America that was Great.  I’m not sure it ever really existed but this is so beyond The Donald and The Hillary, even the Barack and maybe even the Jimmy (Carter).  This is a movie deeply rooted in the promise of America, an America where quietly doing the right thing is good enough to have the forces of good come to your aid.  Just gaze at these two lead actors for two hours and feel good about everything again.  Jeff Nichols, please keep making really good movies. If you need any help I am available.