Harriet

Cynthia Erivo puts in a potent turn in the title role.

[Harriet] takes historical reality and stretches it over the canvas of an old-fashioned adventure story.

It has a central performance that carries the drama shoulder-high. It's gripping, and there's a mystical element to it...

Ultimately, though, Harriet is impressive, especially given the budget ($17 million).

So often, historical films are stale and mired in misery, but Harriet has a rare buoyancy.

It's a rousing piece of film-making from Lemmons.

Lemmons' direction does not lessen the famous story.

A riveting performance by Cynthia Erivo as freedom fighter Harriet Tubman.

Shining through the haze of studio formula is Erivo who puts the entire movie on her back. Her performance captures the spirit of Harriet Tubman which has shamefully been missing from the big screen.

It's a good movie... I think it's going to encourage some deep conversations about history.