‘Shirley’ review round-up: Regina King’s performance is ‘filled with power, humor, warmth and grace’
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On March 15, 2024 Netflix released “Shirley” in limited theaters before the movie officially launches on the streamer March 22. Oscar winner Regina King stars as Shirley Chisholm, the trailblazing politician who ran for the 1972 Democratic presidential nomination after becoming the first Black woman elected to Congress.
The film has received predominantly positive reviews from critics, earning early awards buzz for King. As of this writing it holds fresh on Rotten Tomatoes with a 79% rating from critics and an even more impressive 100% score from everyday moviegoers. The ensemble cast includes Lance Reddick, Terrence Howard, Lucas Hedges and Brian Stokes Mitchell. Read our full review round-up below.
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Richard Roeper of Chicago Sun-Times praises the film, stating, “Regina King does great justice to the legacy of Shirley Chisholm, delivering a performance filled with power, humor, warmth and grace.” Concluding, “The late Lance Reddick reminds us of his screen-commanding presence with his portrayal of the political power broker Wesley McDonald “Mac” Holder. Terrence Howard contributes fine work as Arthur Hardwick Jr., a business and civic leader who became Shirley’s second husband. Amirah Vann has a sparkling turn as the actress Diahann Carroll, who brokers a meeting between Chisholm and Black Panther founder Huey P. Newton (Brad James).”
Ema Sasic of Next Best Picture notes, “While the film may follow similar beats as other biopics, its concentration on Chisholm’s presidential run allows us to get a deeper look at this icon and appreciate the sacrifices she made for all those who came after her.” Sasic continues, “Regina King shines again in another wonderful performance, showing Shirley Chisholm’s many sides. Supporting cast members Lucas Hedges, André Holland, Terrence Howard, and the late Lance Reddick also bring so much life to their roles. John Ridley keeps his script vastly entertaining and informative while also spotlighting all that Shirley Chisholm risked with her presidential run.”
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Kate Erbland of indieWire writes, “By the end of the film, audiences will likely be left wondering who she really was, and why ‘Shirley’ never really takes the chance to show us that.” Adding, “We never get the chance to see what inspired Chisholm’s political fire or her personal problems — mostly, that’s left to exposition-heavy dialogue from other characters — and even the machinations and calculations behind her presidential run are left far to the side. Occasionally, King offers jolts of energy: We see her Shirley pushing back on her first-year committee assignments or at a rude male congressman obsessed with the fact that they make the same amount of money, and when she starts recruiting ambitious young people (like Lucas Hedges as rising youth coordinator Robert Gottlieb and Christina Jackson as eventual congresswoman Barbara Lee), things really start cooking. Finally, we get the most basic bits of any biopic: what this person is about, what she cares about, what she’s striving for. And all of that is thanks to King’s grace and gravitas, which is in short supply in the rest of the film.”
David Rooney of Hollywood Reporter says, “If Ridley’s film could have used an extra shot or two of raw power, it nonetheless is a vibrant depiction of a politician who opened the door for people of all backgrounds, particularly Black women, to claim a seat at the table.” Concluding, “There are tender moments also with her sister Muriel (Reina King), who views Shirley’s political ambitions as a direct result of their father making her believe she was special. Having the King siblings play this test and ultimate resilience of sisterly bonds gives their scenes together an affecting emotional charge.”
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