Name: The Watsons Go to Birmingham
Genre: Drama
Released: 2013-09-20
Rating: 76
Cast: Anika Noni Rose, David Alan Grier, Skai Jackson, Wood Harris, LaTanya Richardson

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Audience Member

I'm being a bit harsh on this because of the utter disappointment I had when I watched this movie after reading the infinitely better book. One of the many issues I had with this movie is the number of plots and subplots left out from the book. The excuse "But it's a movie adaptation of a book, they can't put everything in, it would make it too long!". I can take that to an extent, but they leave too many of those moments, thus causing plotholes non-existant in the book. Although the actors were good, sometimes the characters felt a bit out of character. But that's really just a minor problem compared to this one. One of the worst problems is that it's just important part after important part after important part, it really feels like there's not a relaxing moment where you can connect to the characters. An excuse is that "It makes the movie more exciting!". But with only important plots, it feels like there's no depth to the movie whatsoever. It also spent too little time in their hometown, Flint. It was about 20-30 minutes long that the characters were there, so it felt really rushed. They even went as far as removing a character from the book called Rufus. I was really ticked off with that decision because I find him one of the more interesting characters. Mom felt more laid back when in the book, she was really strict. I liked her outrageous character in the book and removing that trait really ruined her character. Although I do like the black people fighting back, that wasn't enough to save this movie. And moments like when -------------------(STOP READING IF YOU DON'T WANT SPOILERS)----------------------- the church got bombed I wasn't terrified like I was in the book. It felt like they wanted to make it emotional, but failed horribly. I know this review was way too long and should have been a lot shorter, but I want to show how this movie is bad. It's fine if you like it, but you should consider reading the book first before saying that I'm hating on it for no reason. Overall, I was extremely disappointed. Read the book before watching this to have more of a detailed version of The Watsons.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

02/11/23

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Audience Member

While I don't feel like the movie lives up to the book, it is still good.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

01/26/23

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Audience Member

good movie about a black family that travels from Michigan to Alabama in the middle of segaration in the 1960's and how their summer vacation to their grandma house was anything but a normal summer vacation. well written and acted.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/11/23

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Audience Member

Despite the decent performances by a select few (Namely Anika Rose, Wood Harris, and LaTanya Richardson), this movie did it's best to keep shooting itself in the foot whenever it could. To the film's credit, the costumes and some of the scenery sets that distinct 1950's atmosphere. However, as a native of Birmingham I was expecting a little more of my beloved city than what I saw in the movie. But, I was willing to put that little nuance behind me. What I couldn't forgive were the moments that were suppose to be emotional, moving, tearjerking, moment of silence for our fallen heroes moments; terrible. It's a good idea to take a subject like the Great Civil Right's Movement and make it somewhat upbeat so it doesn't completely disconnect to the young adult audience of today. However, when you want to convey the seriousness of a situation you cannot be Happy-go-lucky. I apologize for spoiling this film for a few people but there are 2 distinct points of the movie which I will touch upon. 1) When the Watson children are talking to their cousins about the march for freedom in the school's the music is way off in terms of conveying the hurt, pain and torture that my people went through. 2) The scene where Kenny is looking for his sister, to be honest Bryce (Kenny) didn't look like he received any instruction whatsoever in trying to convey the fear or terror that the real Kenny Watson had at that point. And they botch the scene up more by having Kenny's mythical fear of a Whirpool (whatever that was suppose to be) pop out of nowhere and completely tear the audience from any feeling that we were suppose to have for him. Though this film has it's bright spots the bad far outweighs the good. It's not a complete waste of time. But I won't be watching it again anytime soon.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

02/04/23

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Audience Member

I loved this book when I was growing up, but now that I'm older and understand a lot more, this movie evoked a larger emotional response. I am excited to reread the book as an adult now.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

01/28/23

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Audience Member

Really good flick. Fiction mixed with non-fiction. I'm sure many families had similar stories in the 60's when they visited relatives in south. Good movie for pre-teens and teens I think especially. Not the little ones though.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/25/23

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Kenny Leon

Director

Anika Noni Rose

Wilona

David Alan Grier

Mr. Robert

Skai Jackson

Joetta

Wood Harris

Daniel

LaTanya Richardson

Grandma Sands

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Joyce Slaton

Common Sense Media

Warm family drama brings the civil rights movement to life.

Rated: 3/5

Sep 24, 2013

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Synopsis

In 1963, a couple and their three children take a road trip to Birmingham, Ala., where history unfolds during the civil-rights movement.

Director: Kenny Leon
Screenwriter: Stephen Glantz, Tonya Lewis Lee
Production Co: Tonik Productions, Walden Media
Rating: PG (Mild Language|Thematic Elements|Some Violent Images), TV-PG
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Streaming): Jan 3, 2017
Runtime: 1h 30m

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