SHIRLEY

US, 2024, 117 minutes, Colour.

Regina King, Lance Reddick, Terrence Howard, Lucas Hedges, Michael Cherire, Brian Stokes Mitchell, Christina Jackson, Andre Holland, Dorian Missick, Reina King, Amirah Vann, W. Earl Brown.

Directed by John Ridley.

Shirley is Shirley Chisholm. She is a significant American personality from the 1970s. American audiences will respond to this portrait of her and her political campaigns. Audiences from outside the United States may be surprised to learn about her.

Some googling would be helpful. And, the television series, Mrs America, dramatising the Equal Rights movement in the United States in the 1970s features her as one of the protagonists. Shirley Chisholm was an African-American.

Regina King, Oscar-winner for If Beale Street Could Talk, gives a forceful performance as Shirley Chisholm. She is first seen campaigning to enter Congress, with captions indicating how few women, let alone black women, have been in Congress. She campaigns. She wins. She wants to have her say, the Democrat leader relegating her to a minor portfolio. She has to learn that there are steps in political rise.

But the action moves on quickly, groups urging her to stand for the presidency. For non-Americans this may be quite something of a surprise. In fact, she stood, a Democratic contender, in the 1972 election which eventually re-elected Richard Nixon.

While the film serves as a portrait of Shirley Chisholm, the focus is more on her campaign, her relentless commitment, her policies, social justice issues, meeting people, persuading protesters that they can achieve more through political involvement, even having a meeting with Huey Newton, leader of the Black Panthers and his urging support. One of the of the Democrat contenders was the governor of Alabama, the notoriously racist, George Wallace, an assassination attempt on him and Shirley going to visit him in hospital.

There is the quiet support of her husband of 19 years, Conrad (Michael Cherire), the wise advice of political guru, Mac (Lance Reddick in his final performance), Finance manager Arthur (Terrence Howard), young legal impressive physical enthusiast, Peter (Lucas hedges) and various collaborators as well as the hired campaign manager who eventually quits in desperate exasperation.

The film takes us inside campaigns, the pressure, the demands, backroom deals, counting numbers, persuasion, disappointments, betrayals.

There has been an African-American president of the United States, Barak Obama. And there has been a black vice president of the United States, Karmila Harris.

1. The title, audience expected to recognise it? Audience knowledge of Shirley Chisholm? American knowledge? Beyond the US?
2. The true story, the 1970s, the aftermath of the 60s, the Vietnam war, Richard Nixon, the 1972 election, the candidates, the Democrats against Nixon? Shirley Chisholm, Congress, her decision to stand, her campaigning?
3. Introduction to Shirley Chisholm, Regina King’s performance, strong personality, 19 years married to Conrad, his support? Her political activities? Race issues? African-American? Within the decade after the March on Washington? Groups, women, support? Her feminist attitudes and stances? (And the collage of clips from feminists like Betty Frieden, Gloria Steiner and…)
4. The campaign for Congress, support, her victory, with a group of new members of Congress, the photo, the few women (and the statistics about women, black women)? In the Congress, the allotment of the portfolio, rural issues, her reaction, the confrontation with the leader of Congress? Her impatience, her demands, advice for her to be more moderate?
5. The decision to run, Congress, her determination, relationship with Mack, his advice, the relationship with Arthur and his fundraising, her relationship with her husband, Conrad? Her interest in Robert, his legal studies, political career, knowledge of youth politics, his being employed? The hiring of Stanley Townsend? His professionalism, know-how, practicality?
6. The personalities of the advisers, in themselves, in relationship to Shirley, in the advice given, in the ups and downs of the campaign, her agreement, her rejecting, Townsend and his exasperation, eventually going?
7. Shirley and her relationship with her husband, his devotion, 19 years, support? In the background? Feeling exasperated? The stand-off between the two? (And the information of the later divorce – and her marriage to Arthur and it being long-lasting?)
8. The family situation, the sisters’ presence, criticism, relationship with their mother, churchgoing, memories of the father favouring Shirley? Surely reaching out but her hard personality? Mother and daughter watching the television, the phone call, the reconciliation?
9. The various stages of the campaign? The energy, the meetings, the television interviews, the assessments of her opponents, the focus on George Wallace and his stances? His being shot, surely visiting him in hospital, advised against, the criticisms, especially from the African-Americans, the Black Panthers?
10. Barbara, initial enthusiasm, with Shirley, protest versus political activity? Barbara, her involvement, working with Shirley, the link with the Black Panthers, setting up the meeting with Huey Newton? The discussions, arguments? His endorsement? Diane Carroll being the intermediary, her mansion, support of Shirley, the meeting?
11. The issues of various states, her focusing on Florida, California and the winner taking all the votes? The character of Ron and Dylan’s, support, California, pressures, his betrayal with his votes? Also Form true, campaigning, flamboyant, California, interactions with Shirley, his votes?
12. The ups and downs of the campaigns, politicking behind-the-scenes, meetings, phone calls, deals? The ultimate betrayal of the numbers? Shirley, acceptance, determination?
13. The criticism of the film as not delving into Shirley’s personality more strongly, with Nuance? The focus on the campaign and the events and the issues?
14. The significance of Shirley Chisholm, a black woman, politician, Congress, standing for Congress and for the presidency at such a period?