I was sort of disappointed when I watched this movie. Agreed it is historically very accurate and all that but it does not make rivetting viewing.
This is a story of an 19th century slave ship called Amistad. The Portuguese ship is hijacked and it somehow lands on the shores of America. This is a story of the pathetic state of the slaves, how a couple of well meaning white men redeem the slaves and a climax ending with a totally unconvincing and hackneyed courtroom scene.
The star cast including Anthony Hopkins and Morgan Freeman does not impress at all. In fact, I felt Freeman’s role stuck out like a sore thumb (a free, outspoken, black man in the era of slavery?).
Coming to Spielberg, he has so much promise but I feel he has not at all matured in time with his films. My main grouses against Spielberg are -
a) He has not at all developed the art of subtlety in his story telling and often rambles into extreme melodrama (Eg. ’’Give us FREE’’ in Amistad).
b) He seems to be very afraid of experimenting with themes and has always picked themes that are sure to strike an emotional chord with the audience (Nazi holocaust - Schindler’s list; Tyranny of slavery - Amistad; American heroism in WW2 - Saving Private Ryan.)
And all this does at all do justice to his talent and genius.
Does not mean to say this movie is all rubbish. In fact it is way ahead of the million other dopey stuff that makes the box office. But the point is, it falls way short of expectations that Spielberg has set for himself. Do I recommend it to a friend? Not completely, if I want to watch Spielberg - I’d rather watch Jaws or Schindler’s list.