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As "Shirley" (2024 release; 118 min) opens, we are reminded that Brooklyn's Shirley Chisholm was the first Black woman elected to the US Congress, in 1966, among a sea of white males newcomers. We then go to "December, 1971" as Chisholm decides to run for the US presidency in a crowded field and with little chance of actually winning.... At this point we are 10 minutes into the movie.

Couple of comments: this is the latest from writer-director John Ridley (best known for his script for "12 Years A Slave"). Here he looks back at what basically amounts to a footnote in US political history. Question: who was the first Black woman elected to US Congress? Answer: Shirley Chisholm. Question: who was the first Black woman to run for president? Answer: Chisholm again. This film focuses solely on her 1972 presidential run, and hence this is NOT a biopic of Shirley Chisholm. We are given no background or context, none whatsoever, on how this woman got elected to Congress in the first place, or what she did in Congress. As to the movie itself, it struggles to get off the ground, although there are some good moments, in particular towards the end. The movie benefits enormously from the strong lead performance by Regina King ("If Beale Street Could Talk"). Lucas Hedges plays Robert, a national student representative. Bottom line is this: we all know the outcome of Chisholm's 1972 presidential run before we even watch this, so the assumption is that we watch this for the journey, rather than the end result. Turns out that journey isn't all that interesting, even if the concept itself (a Black woman running for president? In 1972? She is DEACDES ahead of her time) is momentous. I'd rather have watched and learned how Chisholm raised to prominence to begin with by getting elected to Congress in the first place. As a complete aside, I must point out that significant chunks of the movie were filmed in Cincinnati (where I live), standing in once again for New York of the 1960-70s (see also Todd Haynes' "Carole"). Also this: couldn't the film makers come up with a sharper movie title than the lame and generic "Shirley"?

"Shirley" received a one week limited theatrical run in Mid-March and then starting streaming on Netflix last week. "Shirley" is currently rated a respectable 70% Certified Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes. That feels a little high to me. "Shirley" is well-meant, for sure, but I'd rather have watched a biopic of this barrier breaking woman. If you have any interest in politics, I'd readily suggest you check this out, and draw your own conclusion.

Shirley Chisholm shattered glass ceilings in Congress, but the film 'Shirley' doesn't quite move the needle in the biopic genre. It's an earnest, straight-forward film, buoyed by a stand-out performance by Academy Award-winner Regina King.

'Shirley' focuses almost entirely on Chisholm's campaign for the Democratic presidential nomination in 1972. There's a lot of organizing and political strategizing. But we don't get to know Shirley the person and the movie has zero backstory.

As important as Shirley Chisholm was in American politics, the film lacks a sense of drama; this can be attributed to limiting the narrative to Chisholm's campaign, which viewers know will fall way short of the finish line.

Chisholm had a long career in Congress, winning eight terms. We don't see any of that. Nor do we see much of Chisholm's personal life and none of her pre-Congressional career as a school teacher in Brooklyn. Her life might have made for an interesting mini-series on Netflix, which produced the film.

Surely, 'Shirley' does have its attributes. The period costumes, sets and soundtrack all transported me to back in the day. For me, the best scene in the film was a tense powwow between Chisholm and the California leader of the Black Panthers, hosted by actress Diahann Carroll. Who knew?

'Shirley' is an OK film, but I wanted to know more about Shirley the person.

"Shirley" (2024) sets out to capture the groundbreaking, albeit unsuccessful, 1972 presidential run of Shirley Chisholm, the first Black woman elected to the United States Congress. The film straddles the line between historical homage and cinematic spectacle with the grace of a tightrope walker in a windstorm. It's commendable in its ambition, like attempting to solve a Rubik's Cube blindfolded - admirable, but you kind of wonder why.

The movie is ok, and by "ok," I mean it's like that lukewarm cup of coffee you forgot about but decide to drink anyway because, well, caffeine is caffeine. The narrative attempts to juggle Chisholm's political struggles, personal trials, and historical context, occasionally dropping the ball but mostly keeping it in the air. The performances are robust, channeling the essence of the 70s so convincingly you can almost smell the vintage cologne and see the questionable fashion choices off-screen. However, at times, it feels like the film is more of a spirited reenactment than a deep dive, skimming the surface like a stone over water, touching on depth but never fully plunging in.

Where "Shirley" shines, though, is in its unwavering commitment to reminding us of a story that deserves to be told, even if it does so with the finesse of a sledgehammer to a nail. It's like watching your dad use a smartphone; the effort is there, the process is painful, but the outcome is mostly what you hoped for. In a sea of historical dramas that take themselves too seriously, "Shirley" is refreshingly self-aware, winking at its audience from time to time with on-the-nose dialogue and scenes that feel like they were directed by someone who binge-watched every political drama on streaming services. In the end, "Shirley" is a decent watch, the kind you'd recommend to a friend with the caveat, "It's interesting, but keep your expectations in check - like, way in check."

Far be it from me to cast aspersions on someone who looks at a life like Shirley Chisholm's and has to choose just enough for a two-hour biopic. But this Netflix film, produced by Regina King and written and directed by John Ridley (whose Oscar-winning "12 Years a Slave" was phenomenal), is a bit lackluster. I don't think it uses the best cross-section of an amazing life, with just the Wikipedia entry alone presenting so much possible material for a biopic.

Regina King is excellent in the title role and the movie is well-intentioned but ultimately lacking in what made her so memorable, focusing solely on her 1972 presidential run with nothing about her work on the ERA or even how she first made it to Congress. The script feels like it takes her quotations and builds a movie around them; you can almost see the pullquote on the screen. Her famous tagline "unbought and unbossed" went unmentioned and unexplored in the entire movie, aside from one sign in the background of a scene. I'd still recommend watching this serviceable film, but keep your expectations in check.

The movie chronicles the efforts of the first black US Congresswoman Shirley Chisholm to get a nomination to run for President of the United States. The incidents in her life in 1971-72 are in focus here and the movie is by no means a biopic. ( I am only focusing on the movie since I have no knowledge of real life incidents relating to her). One can see that an ordinary middle class black lady in US is able to pursue her dream to reach the highest office of the land with hardly any resources at her disposal and how she ruthlessly bulldozes her way in the face of adversities. Her husband doesn't think she has any chances and her sister is upset with the ridicule being heaped upon them by the public in general. She doesn't like her staff using the word " Can't " and she lovingly manipulates people to give in to her plans. She is confident and plucky while displaying a cool demeanor when facing issues .( She is described as 100 lbs of nuclear energy). Watch her in her " never say die" attitude even when she gets around 4% of the votes. She is happy making a beginning for others and considers herself as a catalyst for change.

With some good direction by John Ridley Regina King gives a spirited performance and does project the nuances of her complex character to near perfection. In a way she underplays the role convincingly. Regina's sister Reina plays the role of her on screen sister very effectively.

Shirley Chisholm has been up there among my heroes. She was a small, thin woman with a distinctive voice and speech pattern. And when she spoke, one couldn't help but listen. Powerful, powerful leader.

I feel this film did not do her justice. Don't get me wrong, it was okay. But okay does not cut it for someone as important as Shirley Chisholm should be considered.

One thing for sure, she had no Island accent. I did not feel Regina King channeled her well. Not were the other actors very strong. Everything was surface. No introspection, no deep thinking exposed.

Perhaps it would have been more interesting to see how she got to Congress and her achievements there.

I am so proud to be the 1st to review this remarkable film. The directing was precise. The storyline was factual and poignant. The sets and props were on point. The wardrobe was accurate. The lighting was ephemeral. The dedication was heartfelt. The acting....well the actors, these artisans were authentic, sincere and of the highest echelon of portraying actual people. But all and all, REGINA KING gave the performance of her life - thus far. Thank you, Ms. King! This is a must-see movie!! It needs to be seen by EVERYONE who cares anything about fixing our broken Democracy. Oh, Shirley Chisholm, how we need you now!~

This is a biopic of Shirley Chisholm (Regina King). In 1968, she became the first black woman to be elected to the United States Congress. The former school teacher is dismissed and told to wait her turn. She decides to run for President in 1972.

This is a straight biopic. I don't think that a failed run to a Democratic nominee who got destroyed by Nixon is actually that compelling of a story. The most compelling aspect is her marriage. That could be something there. The movie does something similar with the sister, but it's not set up well enough. Maybe a flashback with the father would help. The actors are great. The movie needs more imagination. It needs a better entry point. Barbara Lee could be that doorway. The movie could be told from her point of view.

While some viewers may find resonance in the portrayal presented in this Wikipedia film entry, those acquainted with Shirley Chisholm's enduring legacy are likely to encounter profound disappointment. Regrettably, the entry is saturated with inaccuracies and fabrications regarding her life, overlooking ample opportunities to craft a genuine and compelling narrative through thorough research. Rather than delving into the profound motivations propelling her historic presidential bid, the entry trivializes her aspirations, thereby diminishing the gravity of her candidacy. This lack of diligence epitomizes the film's overall negligence, as the narrative conveniently conforms to the filmmaker's biases instead of faithfully capturing Chisholm's intricate character.

Of particular concern is the glaring omission of pivotal figures from Chisholm's life, such as her real-life youth leader, a significant Black influencer whose impact reverberates through history. Instead, the film substitutes these essential individuals with lesser characters, erasing the crucial contributions of Black Youth and Women who spearheaded her campaign, thus failing to honor her profound influence on American politics. Furthermore, the film consistently chooses the path of least resistance, neglecting to explore one of the central aims of her campaign, and opting for bland storytelling over the dynamic elements of Chisholm's life. This disregard for her memory and the countless individuals inspired by her groundbreaking spirit constitutes a disservice to her legacy.

Well, I was hoping to be the first one to review this film but someone beat me to it! What can I say besides what I put in the title, that this was such a great film. The cast was outstanding, with of course Regina King herself as Shirley being amazing, and everything else from the cinematography to the set design was nothing short of excellent. With all the politics of that time, (Vietnam, assassinations, political unrest throughout the world, revolutions, civil rights, etc) you forget about the 'smaller' stories such as this one, of a black woman who defied the odds of becoming a congresswoman and then dared to courageously run for the presidency. I was not at all surprised to see the clip of the hypocrite Gloria Steinem supporting, in her words, the male and 'white McGovern' when her support of Henry Kissinger has become public knowledge.

This film is a must see about an event we must not forget!

This Shirley is possibly even more bold than Shirley, the waitress cooking up burgers for Rerun, from "What's Happening!" This is a great piece of American culture as it is about the first black congresswoman, Shirley Chisholm, who became the first Black woman to run for President of the United States. She was portrayed as a smart and savvy person who wouldn't let people tell her no or that she couldn't or shouldn't do something she believed in. The story follows her as she ramps up her presidential run, the people in her inner circle, her husband's role and of course the obstacles she had to overcome. Overall, the storytelling lacked finesse and subtly as it was a bit heavy-handed at times and felt like a choppy bullet list of moments. The acting and costumes felt spot on. Cool political and inspirational story.

Shirley's greatest strength is how it shines a light on an underappreciated and pivotal figure in American history whilst emphasising her perseverance. However, it remains frustrating to see these fact based stories told in such a conventional fashion as it would feel like a straight to TV film if it wasn't for the star studded cast.

Regina King gives it her all, embodying Shirley's resilience in a way that carries the film. Terrence Howard and Lucas Hedges do a fine job in their supporting roles and it's a gift to still get to see Lance Reddick being this good in films a year after he passed. It's a true testament to his commitment and work ethic.

John Ridley's direction is mostly fine. Nothing stands out and he's content to let the performances take centre stage. The only aspect that is noticeable is the lighting, which becomes really distracting as it goes along because so many scenes are overly exposed in a way that makes it feel cheap.

Congresswoman Shirley Chisholm (Regina King), the first African-American woman elected to the House of Representatives, was an inspiring, trailblazing politician, particularly in the areas of race and gender politics. After winning her seat in Congress in 1968, she later went on to run for the Democratic Party nomination for President in 1972. And that impressive background, one would think, should provide the basis for an engaging, uplifting film biography. Unfortunately, writer-director John Ridley's take on this groundbreaking, often-unappreciated pioneer misses the mark in a number of ways. The biggest problem is a script that tries to cover too much ground in its 1:58:00 runtime, addressing an array of elements from Chisholm's personal and political life and not covering either area particularly well, most notably in the film's first half before settling down in the picture's back end. The narrative jumps around so much that the picture becomes choppy and unfocused - almost incoherent at times - primarily due to some inexplicably mystifying film editing and a lack of sufficient explanation and back story, especially for those who may not know much about the protagonist's life going in. The film also features some rather questionable casting choices, such as the selection of actor W. Earl Brown to portray Alabama Governor George Wallace, who neither looks nor sounds anything like the conservative Southern Democrat who also ran for President in 1972 and was subsequently shot during the campaign. Even King's performance is somewhat uncharacteristically lacking as she struggles mightily to definitively capture Chisholm's singular demeanor and vocal inflections, qualities that sometimes don't always resonate, despite the actress's strong physical resemblance to her character. The real standout here is Lance Reddick, who gives one of his career's best portrayals (as Chisholm's political mentor) in one of his last screen performances. It's disappointing that this inspirational social and political leader hasn't received the worthy cinematic tribute she truly deserves. Perhaps "Shirley" might have worked better as a miniseries than as a standalone vehicle, as that format likely would have provided a better option for more fully telling her story in all of the detail it seeks to depict here. Indeed, for someone who endeavored to rise up to the challenges she faced, it's disheartening that the film seeking to depict that effort doesn't match what she so earnestly sought to accomplish.

Basically the same movie you watched thousands of times before if you are a critic, you know the plot, the difficulty the protagonist has to endure and the conversation and scenes, its that type of movie again, its not a good one to be honest, its very mild and forgettable, not even Sherly actress it's good enough like in other movies, its not enough, overall this is not a recommendation for me, The Colman Domingo movie this same year and also in Netflix is basically the same but with a guy as the lead, its not a good story and it's not a good movie ok, lets di better ok, lets di better next time ok.

A good story doesn't necessarily make a good movie; the old motto applies also to the case of Shirley. I don't know in sufficient detail the story of Mrs Chisholm to fact-check the accuracy of what I just saw, so I will judge the movie simply in its own merit (which by the way is what reviews are for).

Well, the way the movie portrays Mrs. Chisholm is that of someone who decides to run for the biggest job in the world without the shred of a plan, of the necessary resources, of a programme going beyond the rhetoric of "I'm here for you" and other platitudes; someone not listening to any advise except her own even when this leads to questionable decisions.

Essentially the movie makes the not unusual mistake of confusing an idealist with a fool. If - as I suspect- Mrs Shirley Chisholm was the former and not the latter, then this is not a good movie.

The epitome of talent, brilliance and grace. An admiration to so many! Once again, excellent acting in Shirley. Regina King's portrayal in the film 'Shirley' stands as a testament to her exceptional talent and versatility as an actress. Her portrayal of Shirley is both powerful and heart-wrenching, leaving a lasting impact on the audience. In addition to King's standout performance, 'Shirley' boasts a compelling narrative that tackles important themes with grace and sensitivity.

Worth a watch. The cinematography and production design further enhance the immersive experience, transporting viewers to a world filled with both beauty and brutality. Overall, 'Shirley' is a triumph on multiple fronts, thanks in large part to Regina King's extraordinary performance. Her portrayal of Shirley is nothing short of mesmerizing, showcasing her talent and range as one of the most accomplished actresses of her generation. With its powerful storytelling and unforgettable characters, 'Shirley' is a must-see film that will leave a lasting impression on audiences for years to come.

I fully intended to find "Shirley" to be inspirational and important. However, less than 20 minutes into the film, I could do nothing but abandon the experience. I know Regina King is an excellent actor, but how could she possibly work with such horrendously amateurish writing? Every character was a cartoon and every line was utterly painful to hear. Every scene felt like a contrived "skit" meant to teach us an important life lesson, and the combined effect was short of an after-school special. It was a real shame to waste such an historic figure and moment in time on such a terrible script. Didn't the producers see this train wreck coming?

A Netflix original, currently streaming, about a forgotten, in some circles, black woman who ran for president during the early 1970's. Oscar winner Regina King plays Shirley Chisolm who became the first black woman to be elected representative to Congress who due to some bureaucracy (she didn't get to work on the committees she wanted due to her freshman status) was advised to 'go for it' & run for president against Nixon even though fellow Democratic nominee, George Wallace, played W. Earl Brown, an unapologetic racist, was doing better in the polls. Buoyed by the support of her husband, Michael Cherrie & her advisors which include the late, great Lance Reddick, Oscar nominee Terrence Howard, Brian Stokes Mitchell & Oscar nominee Lucas Hedges, the race is on or is it as King's presence in the electorate is vague at best which aligned w/her efforts to not bother campaigning in areas which she feels are a long shot makes her the slimmest of also ran's but then Brown is the victim of an assassination attempt which signals to King a chance may be had w/the film's last third focusing on the eve of the Democratic Convention where pledges for the possible nominee come to the fore. King is great here (don't be surprised if she caps another Emmy win come this time next year) as even in the most vulnerable moments, her strength is evident further buoyed a stellar supporting cast that writer/director & Oscar winner, John Ridley (he won for his script for 12 Years a Slave), gets great mileage from.

Oh my goodness! This was definitely a brilliant film with an excellent cast of actors. The makeup and costumes for that era was incredible. There were so many scenes that took me back to my teenage years. Regina King played an excellent Shirley Chisholm.

We need more Black History movies like this one. The movie Shirley should've been a mini series. I feel the movie was too short. It would've been great to start off at Shirley's early childhood years then teen to young adolescence, college all the way to adulthood then marriage.

I need to see more about Shirley and her life than her career. It all place an important part of her life story.