Betty & Coretta

Betty & Coretta was a 2013 made-for-television movie that originally aired on Lifetime. The film tells the story of two of the most influential women of the Civil Rights era: Betty Shabazz and Coretta Scott King. The movie highlights their lives in the aftermath of their husbands' assassinations, as they navigate their own grief, raise their children alone, and continue their husbands' legacies of activism.

The film is set in the 1960s and 1970s and features several key historical events, including the assassinations of Malcolm X and Martin Luther King Jr. It also focuses on the friendship between Betty and Coretta, who both experienced similar struggles as the wives of prominent Civil Rights leaders.

Betty & Coretta stars two seasoned actresses, Angela Bassett and Ruby Dee, as Betty Shabazz and Coretta Scott King respectively. Malik Yoba also appears in the film as Martin Luther King Jr. The acting is generally strong and the chemistry between the actresses feels natural.

The film starts with the assassination of Malcolm X, which takes an emotional toll on Betty and her children. Soon after, Coretta's husband Martin is also assassinated, and she too is left to raise her children alone. The rest of the film explores how both women cope with their loss, raise their children, and continue to fight for social justice.

One of the strongest aspects of Betty & Coretta is its portrayal of the two women as human beings with their own struggles and flaws. We see Betty struggle with her anger towards Malcolm X's killers, while also grappling with her own feelings of guilt about not being able to protect him. Coretta, on the other hand, is portrayed as a deeply spiritual woman who relies on her faith to get through her struggles. Despite their differences, both women are shown as strong and compassionate in their own unique ways.

The film also touches on the issue of gender inequality within the Civil Rights movement. Both women faced significant obstacles as they tried to continue their husbands' work after their deaths. They were often sidelined by male leaders who did not believe that women had a place in the movement. Betty & Coretta highlights their perseverance in the face of these challenges and showcases the important contributions they made to the Civil Rights movement.

Overall, Betty & Coretta is a moving portrayal of two important women in American history. While the film is not without its flaws (some of the dialogue can be a bit heavy-handed, for instance), it succeeds in painting a nuanced picture of these two trailblazing women. Fans of historical dramas or biopics should definitely give this film a watch.