'Winnie Mandela' sneaks into theaters: Jennifer Hudson film finally released after years in limbo
theGRIO REPORT - Winnie Mandela, a biopic about the former wife of South African president Nelson Mandela, is finally hitting select theaters this weekend after numerous delays and even a title change...
Winnie Mandela, a biopic about the former wife of South African president Nelson Mandela, is finally hitting select theaters this weekend after numerous delays and even a title change.
The film, originally simply called Winnie, stars Oscar winner Jennifer Hudson as the titular heroine and also features Terrence Howard as Nelson.
Although the filmmakers had high hopes for critical recognition and awards buzz, early trailers for the film landed with a thud and the movie’s release was stalled for years.
Everything from the actors’ accents and makeup to the lack of participation of the Mandela family were subjected to skepticism.
Eventually producer Rev. T.D. Jakes took the reins, revived the project and revamped the much-maligned ad campaign for the film.
Still, the movie has generated very little excitement from moviegoers and has been overshadowed by higher profile films aimed at black audiences like Fruitvale Station, The Butler and 12 Years a Slave.
Critical reaction to the movie has been mostly negative. The New York Times called it “a made-for-television quickie” and the Los Angeles Times says, “Winnie Mandela shoehorns an exceptional life into the standard template of a highlights reel.”
Winnie Mandela will be opening in two New York City theaters this Friday. It will be competing with yet another Mandela film, Long Walk to Freedom, which opens in November.
Will you be checking it out regardless of the rough reviews and troubled production history?
