Emancipation is a 2022 historical drama directed by Antoine Fuqua and starring Will Smith. The film follows the story of Peter, an escaped slave who joins the Union Army during the Civil War in order to gain his freedom.
Will Smith gives a mediocre performance as Peter, a man who is desperate to gain his freedom and will do anything to make it happen. Smith brings a intensity and strength to a corny script, and his performance is one of the most out-of-place parts of the film. His co-star Ben Foster plays a frigheting racist plantation owner. Their duality is reminicent of The Revenant.
The production design of the film is high-budget, with the jungle setting and the battles providing a great backdrop for the story to unfold. The cinematography is decent, but it doesn't bring the black and white story to life.
Overall, Emancipation is a failed attempt at an oscar bait film that will leave little impression on the viewer. Smith's performance is the highlight, but for all the wrong reasons. For anyone interested in the history of slavery and the Civil War, watch something more realistic.
Will Smith gives a mediocre performance as Peter, a man who is desperate to gain his freedom and will do anything to make it happen. Smith brings a intensity and strength to a corny script, and his performance is one of the most out-of-place parts of the film. His co-star Ben Foster plays a frigheting racist plantation owner. Their duality is reminicent of The Revenant.
The production design of the film is high-budget, with the jungle setting and the battles providing a great backdrop for the story to unfold. The cinematography is decent, but it doesn't bring the black and white story to life.
Overall, Emancipation is a failed attempt at an oscar bait film that will leave little impression on the viewer. Smith's performance is the highlight, but for all the wrong reasons. For anyone interested in the history of slavery and the Civil War, watch something more realistic.