Thurgood (2011 TV Movie) User Reviews

Hats off to Laurence!

[mdewey · 8/10 · 1 March 2011]

An unexpected pleasure awaited me as I began to view this almost two hour quasi-soliloquy about a pretty non-political guy who somehow got thrust into politics anyway, just because he wanted to see fairness and equality served and not double standard-ed. I don't know whose idea it was to portray this biographical account in this unusual manner, but it most assuredly held my attention for its duration.

Enter Laurence Fishburne, hair permed, dyed and fashioned ala Mr. Marshall, as our sole actor in this film. His chronological account of Mr. Marshall's life was rife with laid-back, humorous, yet firm depictions of events that shaped our central character's life, and to some degree, all our lives. Mr. Fishburne's demeanor throughout this piece was so comfortable and relaxed, I wondered at times had Thurgood himself crept back to Earth and infused himself into our actor's psyche to help him along with this account of his life. Also, I wondered if this show was cut and edited in a couple spots, just to give Mr. Fishburne a break in this seemingly non-stop monologue!

Credit is also due the Stevens' guys for setting the unusual tone here, with aptly placed snippets of historical dialog and subtle background scene settings to buttress these accounts that were adjunct to Thurgood's life. In conclusion, a fitting addition, indeed, for Black History month.

Laurence Fishburne IS Thurgood Marshall

[juliebeauchamp_2812 · 8/10 · 14 November 2013]

First of all, I was surprised to find out that this HBO movie was actually not a movie but a play that simply had been recorded. I guess I never bothered to do some research. I learned about "Thurgood" when I was watching the Emmys (Fishburne was nominated for his role as the civil rights -legal- activist). It definitely took me a few minutes to figure out why Thurgood Marshall was on a stage in the opening scene.

Being quite familiar with the background and jurisprudence of Justice Marshall, I found that this play was an accurate depiction of the life and time on the bench of this great progressive judge.

The reason I am giving this play/movie an 8 is because of Laurence Fishburne. He OWNS this performance. At times, I forgot I was watching a well-known actor. He merged into his character and played this great and lively man without overacting. A tour de force for Fishburne.

Fishburne carries this production by himself for over 1:30 hours but we never get tired of his presence on stage.

I also appreciated the simplicity of the set, which included only a chair, a table and a few accessories. There was nothing to distract us from Fishburne's performance.

It most certainly makes sense to have a one-man play about the life of Thurgood Marshall, considering that Justice Marshall was such a unique and interesting character.

I hope that eventually, we do get to see a movie (or "real" TV movie) on the life of Justice Marshall. Every American ought to know about the first African-American to be appointed to the United States Supreme Court and his legacy.

Shy of masterful

[ritera1 · 9/10 · 15 July 2012]

Even though absolutely correct and valid, I was expecting a preachy diatribe of race relations and political correctness. I expected to be preached to and I would be the choir.

But it was an engrossing and entertaining document of a man's life with the backdrop of early 20th century history. Although long, it never felt boring.

Less is more and was perfectly staged.

I'm on the fence with Fishburn's performance. Easily an 8 out of 10. I think a little push with nuance would have pushed it to a 9. But anyone who takes on this role and does what he did deserves praise.

(I was surprised that they left in when he addressed the latecomers to the audience. But it worked well.)

A loving, moving look at a giant in American History

[donjmiller · 10/10 · 28 February 2011]

I know this came out for Black History month in the U.S., and it's right on target: illuminate a pivotal figure from our national past who was an African American. Show both the obstacles overcome and the world-changing effect achieved. That's a fine formula, and it works.

But George Stevens has gone beyond the formula, and this monologue, by the amazing Laurence Fishburne as Thurgood Marshall, with slide-show and lighting effects, is surprisingly powerful. They shine their light into some of America's darkest places, yet retain humor and hope. Fishburne uses all his registers, and is a delight to watch, as he persuades you that you are in the presence of the man who, with his argument in Brown v. Board of Education, triggered the end of legal segregation in the U.S, who became the Supreme Court's first African-American member. And who gives you all the context of that life.

If you let yourself, through a spell woven by the spoken word and evocative images on the wall behind the sparsely furnished set, you'll be transported into the life and world of Thurgood Marshall. It's entertaining, enlightening and ... over too soon.

Captivating portrait of a great American

[msecour · 10/10 · 10 March 2011]

My wife and I are not usually big fans of one-man performances so it says a lot that we were captivated from beginning to end. Laurence Fishburne is absolutely wonderful in this performance.

We learned a lot about Justice Marshall in less than two hours. Compressing such a powerful story into a short time frame requires a certain economy in presentation of the facts and this is the only flaw. At one point, Governor Earl Warren is referred to as the one that interred all of the American citizens of Japanese ancestry in California during WWII. Warren did have to carry out that order, but the order came from President Roosevelt. This play also took President Eisenhower to task for not immediately enforcing school integration. It might have been nice to expand on this. Ike was in his first term when the Supreme Court made its ruling but he waited until he was re-elected before putting the muscle of the Federal government behind integration, beginning with Little Rock Central High in 1957. I have to admit that adding these clarifying details probably would have bogged "Thurgood" down, so I still give this video a "10."

Thurgood is Very Good ****

[edwagreen · 10/10 · 3 March 2011]

This one man show would have even been better if it weren't told looking out at an audience but rather with a full cast.

That being said, this is an excellent biography of Thurgood Marshall's life. Laurence Fishburne is extraordinary as Thurgood Marshall, as he relates the Justice's life to some very crucial historical times.

President Eisenhower and Gen. MacArthur are not made out to be the best in terms of civil rights for minorities.

We see the life of Marshall being totally committed to law and justice for all citizens of our great country. You really come to agree with Marshall's decisions of the day. From Brown v. Board of Topeka, Ks. (1954) which declared the actions of the Court in Plessy v. Ferguson (1956) to be unconstitutional, Marshall and the other men on the court proved their true mettle by their actions. Certainly, we see Marshall heap praise on Earl Warren as Chief Justice in the Brown Decision.

This was a very good show as Fishburne totally captures the man.

History as it should be told

[mistik_manik · 10/10 · 20 July 2015]

I wish that I could give this movie more than 10. The way this story is presented is to take a walk back in time and then slowly come forward experiencing every iota of existence.Every joy, every pain, every hurt, every anger, every disdain, every disgust. A strong narrative that fuels emotions in persons so far removed from the situation.It is disheartening to think that men like Thurgood Marshall are so easily forgotten by the upcoming generations. His journey is one of true patriotism and a labor of love and compassion and courage to wage on in the face of all who dare stop him. Like those before him and those hopefully after him, he fought to show the black man that the dark richness of the skin was never a curse even the world around him said it was and treated him as an incurable plague.

Entralling!!!! Compelling!!!! Good Theater!!!

[jack-115-853599 · 10/10 · 22 August 2013]

I am still glowing from the distinct pleasure of having watched Laurence Fishburne so thoroughly realize a very intriguing and important figure in the civil rights struggle, Thurgood Marshall, the first African-American Chief Justice of the Supreme Court.

Laurence Fishburne has indeed come a long way from Cornbread, Earl, and Me. He made his mark in his compelling portrayal of a struggling African-American father with fierce integrity in Boyz In the Hood and since then he has more than become the consummate actor. He has maintained an air of integrity around him and his characterizations regardless of the weaknesses seem to possess at the very least a measure of dignity.

This performance can certainly be counted as an accomplishment. Understanding of the world then is made very personal and thus very easy to relate to. Fisburne wonderfully exemplifies Marshall's strengths and poignantly reveals his weaknesses in this intriguing, very informative, difficult, colloquial, sad, and funny one-man show. The wonderful photography and sound effects combine to make for a compelling evening of theater. Fishburne is in his element portraying the very human and ultimately exceptional example of leadership in the fight for civil rights. I was a teenager when Marshall was appointed in the 60s and can assure you it was indeed a VERY tumultuous time. It was eerie trying to celebrate and appreciate the magnitude of this progress while cities were going up in flames all around you.....and on a fairly regular basis.

.....obviously this was far more than an excellent theater production for me.....but isn't this just what good art form is supposed to do?!! :0) I highly recommend this as not only an excellent one-man show with a tour-de-force performance but as more than a worthy addition to any movie library! It has something to say to ANY disenfranchised community.

Enthralling!!! Informative!!! Essential!!!

[RaiderJack · 10/10 · 3 February 2012]

I am still glowing from the distinct pleasure of having watched Laurence Fishburne so thoroughly realize a very intriguing and important figure in the civil rights struggle, Thurgood Marshall, the first African-American Chief Justice of the Supreme Court.

Laurence Fishburne has indeed come a long way from Cornbread, Earl, and Me. He made his mark in his compelling portrayal of a struggling African-American father with fierce integrity in Boyz In the Hood and since then he has more than become the consummate actor. He has maintained an air of integrity around him and his characterizations regardless of the weaknesses seem to possess at the very least a measure of dignity.

This performance can certainly be counted as an accomplishment. Understanding of the world then is made very personal and thus very easy to relate to. Fisburne wonderfully exemplifies Marshall's strengths and poignantly reveals his weaknesses in this intriguing, very informative, difficult, colloquial, sad, and funny one-man show. The wonderful photography and sound effects combine to make for a compelling evening of theater. Fishburne is in his element portraying the very human and ultimately exceptional example of leadership in the fight for civil rights. I was a teenager when Marshall was appointed in the 60s and can assure you it was indeed a VERY tumultuous time. It was eerie trying to celebrate and appreciate the magnitude of this progress while cities were going up in flames all around you.....and on a fairly regular basis.

.....obviously this was far more than an excellent theater production for me.....but isn't this just what good art form is supposed to do?!! :0)

I highly recommend this as not only an excellent one-man show with a tour-de-force performance but as more than a worthy addition to any movie library! It has something to say to ANY disenfranchised community.