Loving (2016)

The story of Richard and Mildred Loving, a couple whose arrest for interracial marriage in 1960s Virginia began a legal battle that would end with the Supreme Court's historic 1967 decision.

Director:

Jeff Nichols

Writer:

Jeff Nichols

Stars:

Ruth Negga, Joel Edgerton, Will Dalton

Nominated for 1 Oscar. Another 24 wins & 83 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Ruth Negga	...	Mildred
Joel Edgerton	...	Richard
Will Dalton	...	Virgil
Dean Mumford	...	Drag Race Driver
Terri Abney	...	Garnet
Alano Miller	...	Raymond
Chris Greene	...	Percy (as Chris R. Greene)
Benjamin Booker	...	Shotgun Shack Musician #1
Justin Robinson	...	Shotgun Shack Musician #2
Dennis Williams	...	Shotgun Shack Musician #3
Keith Tyree	...	Bricklayer
Sharon Blackwood	...	Lola Loving
Rebecca Turner	...	Pregnant Girl
Christopher Mann	...	Theoliver
Mike Shiflett	...	Magistrate

Storyline

The story of Richard and Mildred Loving, a couple whose arrest for interracial marriage in 1960s Virginia began a legal battle that would end with the Supreme Court's historic 1967 decision.

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Plot Keywords:

racial segregation | interracial couple | based on true events | based on true story | virginia | 

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Taglines:

All love is created equal.

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Genres:

Biography | Drama | Romance

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for thematic elements

Details

Official Sites:

Official site Official site [Japan]

Country:

UK USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

4 November 2016 (USA)

Also Known As:

El matrimonio Loving

Filming Locations:

Crewe's Place, Charles City County, Virginia, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$9,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$159,615, 6 November 2016, Limited Release

Gross USA:

$7,696,098, 20 January 2017

Company Credits

Production Co:

Raindog Films, Big Beach Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

123 min

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.39 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Mildred Delores Jeter Loving's 2008 New York Times obituary reported that her ancestry was both part African American and part Native American on both sides: Rappahannock on her maternal side; Cherokee on her father's. The obituary also said that she preferred to self-identify as Native American rather than African American.

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Goofs

Regarding the drag race scene, the brake pedal shot indicates that the car had a 2-speed Powerglide transmission as there was no clutch pedal. Also the shift lever was in the Park position making it impossible for the car to move. This would be the only Chevy small block ever hopped up with a "slip and slide Powerglide" transmission. They all had stick shifts, later with close ratios.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Mildred: I'm pregnant.
Richard Loving: [long pause] Good. That's good.

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Connections

References The Loving Story (2011)

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Soundtracks

Don't Be a Fool
Written by Willie Clarke and Clarence Reid
Performed by Clarence Reid
Published by Dust Index
Courtesy of Numero Group
By arrangement with Bank Robber Music

User Reviews

Loved it!

'Loving' was outstanding. I know I review a lot of films that star a person people I love, but this film was one of the best ones I saw this year (Moonlight. GO SEE IT). I hesitated even writing that, thinking it couldn't be true, but it was. I was emotionally vested, riveted and compelled by it. Jeff Nichols' did a beautiful job directing this film in its fantastic simplicity, allowing Ruth Negga and Joel Edgerton to deliver stellar performances as Mildred & Richard Loving. Joel Edgerton specifically stood out to me as I was a fan of his since King Arthur with Clive Owen (love Clive to death, but it was bad) and I absolutely love seeing him on film. He was remarkable as Richard Loving, communicating so much with his eyes and body language, I think it was a role that challenged him and I appreciate the impeccable job he did. Equally talented, Ruth Negga was also outstanding as Mildred Loving. She communicated so much just through her eyes! She is a very talented young woman who will have one outstanding career ahead of her. Marton Csokas and Michael Shannon make short but memorable appearances, honesty though both men are superbly talented so it's a real treat to have them pop up in smaller roles. Fun fact: Jeff Nichols directed Michael Shannon in another film I really liked, "Take Shelter".

This film is about two people in love, an understated but very deep love which altered the very course of American history. 'Loving' begins in the late 1950s, right when racial tension was at its highest, just as the Civil Rights Movement was gaining momentum. Compounded by this and social pressures from within their community, the Lovings were forced to live in fear and even meet under cover of night. No one should have to live like this, ever. Nichols did a wonderful job of illustrating just how much this impacted their lives. How this couple, who only wanted to have a family and be together in peace, lived in a persistent state of paranoia fearing violence or worse just because they loved each other. It really is beyond all comprehension, that a black woman and a white male would be violating law simply being married. That tune sounds very familiar doesn't it, when likened to present day? All those lovely gay couples who can't hold hands just because they are scared that you are unable to mind your own damn business. Such a shame.

'Loving' is also about hope. The beautiful glory of hope and love. Even despite everything, all the adversity and hardship there is always hope. That was one thing I really took away from the film. When asked how she is able to keep fighting, Mildred Loving, played by the wonderful Ruth Negga, says: Well, you loose the small battles to win the big war." This film is also about freedom, liberty and rights. This is the land of the free after all, but only free if you're not black, or gay, or anything not considered the status quo. The Lovings fought for years tooth and nail for the right to be able to love each other and raise a family the poignant part of this film to me is the ridiculous fact that they had to endure years of crap for something they should've had all along.

Overall the film was just wonderful, I was moved and felt it in a very real way. The story is palpable from many perspectives which I think was a pretty challenging feat for Nichols accomplish, but he did so with efficacy. The narrative is clear: Love is love, live and let live. I say go see it, fall in love and carry it with you.