Love and scandal are the best sweeteners of tea. —Henry Fielding

02 March 2020

Harriet (2019)

The elements of Harriet just didn't work together. The dream sequences are treated weirdly and without imagination, and so Harriet's encounters with her god don't feel spiritual or powerful. The tone, throughout, is strange, too. As if the film is not sure if it is a comedy or a very serious drama. This is largely the fault of the score, but also, obviously, the direction.

I would place this in the same vein as 2017's Marshall, which sort of reimagines the famous attorney as a kind of superhero. Harriet does the same. 

The costumes are great (Leslie Odom Jr. is suited beautifully) and I loved Vondie Curtis Hall.

In truth, Harriet is more unfortunate than objectionable. It doesn't work, but it's not without its pleasures.

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