Keep the Faith, Baby

Rating:
Summary: historical black figure
Review: The cover is deceptive. You would think the heterosexual embrace between Vanessa Williams and Harry Lennix is a sign that this is a Harlem Renaissance romance. It's not: this is about the life of Adam Clayton Powell, Jr.. It's a biopic. Williams' presence on the cover must have been based on her popularity and as a way to seduce apolitical viewers.

The history of 20th-century black leadership is rich: it doesn't just start and end with Martin and Malcolm. This movie shows that Powell came before Dr. King and had tensions with him. The idea that black leaders have tensions with each other, have strong connections with black churches, and are caught in sexual scandals will resonate with those who are thinking about the current scene in black leadership. The film shows Powell arguing with his famous father. Again, modern black leaders have heated father-son dynamics and any man who has similar tensions with his father or his son will be able to relate.

Harry Lennix is often cast as the bad guy. His roles in the "Matrix" and "Barbershop" sequels are examples. I think it has to do with his green eyes and cleft. Finally, he gets a lead role where he can use his sinister looks to gain sympathy with the audience. Powell was a wheeler-dealer, self-promoter, and womanizer. A sneaky, but sexy, man like Lennix was ideal for the role.

This movie shows how Powell threatened to accuse Dr. King and Bayard Rustin of being lovers if they didn't do what he wanted. First, I love that "Boycott" showed that Bayard Rustin, a black [...] man, played a critical role in the Civil Rights Movement. Second, I love how this movie shows the rampant homophobia thrust against him. I'm glad that movies are beginning to portray the triumphs and struggles of black [...] men and black lesbians. Though Powell is NO hero of mine, I enjoyed this flick.

The title points to an interesting fact. It's amazing to see a man who was elected Congressman speak in "daddy-oh", hep-cat, jazzy language. Like many black leaders, Powell rubbed elbows with white elites at the same time that he was familiar with the black vernacular and what we now call "keeping it real."

Adam Clayton Powell the fourth is a co-producer of this film. Thus, his heirs must have approved of the portrayal. I wish this DVD had subtitles. There are many blacks in Harlem, which Powell represented, that only speak Spanish or French and will miss out on this history because of this oversight. The journalist character who narrates the story has something in common with the description of Steve Buscemi in "Fargo."

I recommend this biopic strongly.