‘Harriet’ Is A Must-See For Historians and Culture Lovers But Will Audiences Agree?

By Raoul Dennis

With a few million clicks, “Harriet” can sweep the nation as the hottest film of early phase of the holiday season.

But in order for that to happen, diverse audiences have to feel it. With all the controversy on social media, they may not.

At a budget of just $17 million and earning over $12 million opening weekend, the film won’t have any trouble reaching a financial return.

And while the performances of Cynthia Erivo, Janelle Monae, Joe Alwyn, Leslie Odom, Jr. and others are strong, they aren’t likely to draw the kind of critical acclaim that Denzel and Spike got with “X” or that Jamie Fox pulled with “Ray” or that Viola Davis demands in almost anything that she’s done.

But that doesn’t matter.

Harriet should be seen for dozens of reasons but here are three.

The movie is a rare biopic introducing an African American woman as the hero. Rare as in almost never. Google African American biopics or true stories and most of them—over 90%--are about black men or periods in black history. Most recently, “Hidden Figures” (2016) successfully came to the screen. But the stories about black women on the big screen are few and very far in between: There’s “American Violet” (2008) and “Winnie Mandela” (2011). Before that, there was “What’s Love Got To Do With It” (1993) and “Lady Sings The Blues” (1972).

There’s “The Rosa Parks Story” (2002) and “Introducing Dorothy Dandridge” (1998) but they were made for TV. It’s hard to count “Dream Girls.” Although it was certainly inspired by The Supremes, its creators intended it as a musical.

Does that mean that between 1972 and today there are only five major biopic films on black women? Even if this article misses one or two, there are still less than 10 Hollywood supported and distributed biopics on black women in 47 years. And for Latina, Asian or Native American women, you’re better off looking to Disney movies for any genre let alone a biographical story. Yes, cartoon animation has a better shot than Rita Moreno.

This is not to suggest supporting a film directed by a black woman that stars a black woman is an ethnic requirement or some expectation of racial sensitivity. It’s to say that American black girls may only get to see real life versions of themselves on the screen as a hero once or twice every 10 years. So, any film that does so deserves attention.

Harriet is a conversation starter. It introduces an extraordinary American woman and her story and the Underground Railroad to millions. As with most Hollywood renditions, it’s meant to be a commercial success and therefore, it’s far from perfect in most ways but it is opening the door to the possibility of other stories, documentaries, books, blogs, talk shows and more where there was none before. There are dozens of movies about figures from George Washington to The Beatles and no two of them are archived in any hall of historic reference. Characters like “Bigger Long” and “Walter” are representations of people then – and now – and serve important but not direct purposes in “Harriet.” The more important thing is how much Harriet introduces about real historic figures: William Still, John Brown, Frederick Douglass and John Parker --- all appeared or are signaled in the movie for those who pay attention. Added to this are signs, songs and codes used by enslaved people that appear in the film giving it teachable moments about African American history and culture.

A film doesn’t have to be a perfect depiction of historic accuracy in order to be worthy of attention to a legendary leader who reaches near-superhero status. And speaking of super heroes, Americans stood on lines wrapped around the block to see “Black Panther” – and paid hard-earned money to see it multiple times. This is no knock against “Black Panther.” It was worth every penny and, at the time, became the third highest-grossing film in Hollywood history. But I have yet to see a plane ticket for a flight to Wakanda. It may seem like comparing apples and oranges but if so much can be spent on the fantasy of a hero, why is it so important to demand absolute perfection from an actual hero?

Third, Harriet Tubman is a combination of the African and American ideal and the film captures these points. Tubman was comprised of faith, self-empowerment, selflessness, strength, hard work, loyalty and family. The first woman to lead U.S. troops into battle is also known as the person who cured dysentery. She brought over 300 enslaved people hundreds of miles out of bondage on foot against overseers, dogs, slave catchers, the U.S. government and the dead of night and everything hungry that hunted within it. And Tubman did all this never waiting or needing to be taller, wealthier, whiter, male--or even literate. Seeing any version of this story is about more than biographical entertainment.

Harriet Tubman is about the best that we can hope to be under any circumstances because she accomplished so much for others – more than most of us could accomplish for ourselves. We are forced look up to her no matter who are.

And then there’s the best part: the hero lives at the end.