Rustin

Bayard Rustin is a name that should be as synonymous with the civil rights movement as Martin Luther King Jr. Yet much of his contributions were either downplayed or outright erased for many decades due to the fact that he was homosexual. In a time where people were already deeply prejudiced against those of darker complexions, being gay on top of that further enhanced the hatred and fear Rustin was subjugated to. But the fact that he was able to accomplish so much despite how difficult this time period was for someone like him makes Rustin’s achievements all the more remarkable.

George C. Wolfe, who last directed Colman Domingo in his Netflix film Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, collaborated with him once again: this time with Domingo as the lead role, giving a performance for the ages. Wolfe is wise enough to know that the old womb-to-tomb and rise, fall, then rise again forms of biopics are dying. Instead, he has opted to tell stories about specific moments in a person’s life. With Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, it was the recording of her first album. With Rustin, it is the lead up to the historic March on Washington.

When you already know the destination of a film, what makes it compelling is the journey. In Wolfe’s film, we learn of the contentious relationship between Rustin and the NAACP, how Rustin inspired MLK’s message of non-violence, and even about an affair Rustin had with a married man. All of these moments build up to the march and increase its significance while shedding light on a man history forgot to include.

Greatly assisting in this endeavor is Colman Domingo, whose performance as Bayard Rustin is infused with gravitas, humility, humor, and intelligence. Domingo brings Bayard to life in a role that is layered and complicated without ever seeming like he’s playing a role. He delivers each monologue with precision and unwavering confidence, showcasing Rustin’s competence and ability in a time where the widely held perception was that Black men had neither. Domingo is refined, showing restraint when necessary, passion even if unwarranted, and grace under fire. He completely embodies not only Bayard Rustin, but also the experience of Black men at the time that had to be careful with which emotions they showed and fearful that unprovoked violence would come their way. It’s the kind of performance that shows us why one would swell with pride to stand beside Bayard, and Domingo in turn should swell with pride for this remarkable achievement.

Assisting Domingo in this film is fellow Ma Rainey castmate is Glynn Turnman, who may not have much screen time, but more than makes up for this with his impactful scene with Congressman Adam Powell Jr (Jeffrey Wright). Chris Rock has a significant supporting role as Roy Williams, the leader of the NAACP. Aml Ameen gives a respectable and humble performance as Dr. King, and Audra McDonald makes her second scene-stealing appearance of the year as Ella Baker. 

There is not a lot of flash to Wolfe’s film. Once we get to the march, it is presented rather quickly, intercut with footage from the actual day and obvious voice-overs for the speakers and singers of that day. This may seem like an odd choice, but it is one made because the march is not the story. It is not even the destination! It is merely a stepping stone on the road to equal civil rights, a fact Wolfe recognized early on. Any story featuring the march had to be about the person who organized over 250,000 people to the steps of Washington that day and made sure they had everything they needed to stage the largest peaceful demonstration in our nation’s history. Any story featuring the march had to make it clear who Bayard Rustin was and why he deserves to be a civil rights icon remembered for centuries to come. And in that, Wolfe succeeded.

8.5/10