Shirley (2024)

Matt Roush says...

Wonderfully and metaphorically described as “100 pounds of nuclear energy,” Oscar and four-time Emmy winner Regina King’s marvelous performance as pioneering Black congresswoman Shirley Chisholm is reason enough to check out this entertaining docudrama that depicts her quixotic but inspiring run in 1972 for the Democratic presidential nomination. Her belief in herself and determination to be heard within a white male power structure adds to a compelling character study. She gets terrific support from the late Lance Reddick in his final role as her campaign advisor “Mac” Holder, with Terrence Howard, Brian Stokes Mitchell and Lucas Hedges as other members of her team and a poignant Michael Cherrie as her overshadowed husband Conrad. Christina Jackson also impresses as student activist Barbara Lee, who will eventually follow Chisholm’s congressional lead.

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