Rent Harriet (2019)

Formulaic - Harriet review by DJ

I found this film shallow and trivialising. I thought it shoe-horned an important piece of American history into an outdated romantic-adventure movie template, straight out of 1950s Hollywood. The dialog was embarrassing; the interaction between the (highly talanted) actors was wooden and stilted; the sets were confected and unrealistic; all sense of history and genuine humanity was lacking; cliches were abundant; it lacked any sense of real hazard or suspense. After watching half the film, I found it too painful to continue. Apart from the fact that it addresses a subject that has been largely ignored by the world of film, I can find little to recommend it

Fascinating subject given over-simplified TV movie treatment - Harriet review by AER

Sadly this film depiction of Harriet Tubman is very thin in the telling with an 80s-90s TV movie feel. Decent performances are scuppered by an endless parade of scenes containing dialogue made up of nothing but speeches and prayers. It's good Harriet Tubman's life and achievements have been turned into a movie at last, but this weak, dumbed-down approach to the subject was a mistake. All the more surprising that his was made by Kasi Lemmons who's earlier Eve's Bayou was a masterpiece. A let-down.

Great inspiring biopic - Harriet review by MP

Harriet was such an awesome person and so courageous. The character wonderfully portrayed. Good straight forward story telling which makes a great, if necessarily tense film to watch. This is one of those stories that we should all know. Without knowing it you are depriving yourself of seeing some really important history of not only the USA, but by implication much of the world. A legacy we all need to understand fully in current world politics.

A Good Story Well Told - Harriet review by RCO

I enjoyed this tale, with the added piquancy of being based on a true story. Cynthia Erivo (Minty/Harriet) holds the screen as she progresses from cowed slave to inspiring commander. The photography is excellent throughout and the music track not too distracting.

It is a very conventional film, not really pushing any boundaries. Some of the chase scenes slightly stretch credulity - can a person really outrun a horse through fairly open woodland, can tracking dogs not catch her and loose the scent that easily - but these only require minor suspension of disbelief.

The whole business of Harriet being guided by the voice of god is handled well - whilst sensing danger and finding a safe river crossing can be read as minor miracles thanks to divine intervention, they can equally well be read as tapping into embodied wisdom, or even pure luck - so all sides are satisfied.

All in all I was well satisfied with this movie - not a classic but a good story well told.