Mandela: Long walk to Freedom is a straightforward biography which condenses Nelson Mandela's life without too many metaphors which pervades biopics these days. However at times too much of Mandela's life seems to be rushed through and other associates in the ANC's struggle to end apartheid are sidelined or entirely absent.
We first see Mandela as the young ambitious lawyer and a ladies man as well. Pretty soon he is married with children and involved heavily with the African National Congress. He divorces his first wife and then we switch to Mandela in his 40s when he meets Winnie who he married.
Mandela is then arrested for terrorism and imprisoned in Robben island.
It is only during imprisonment we see the divergence in Nelson and and Winnie's life. Because of her mistreatment by the police Winnie becomes more extreme in her struggle and resorts to violent means to end apartheid. The older Mandela is in secret talks with the government and opts for a peaceful way to unite South Africa.
Idris Elba relishes the opportunity to play the great man. He gets the voice right but I thought he was far more comfortable as the older Nelson Mandela. Naomi Harris also comes across better as the older and more bitter Winnie Mandela.
If you want to know more about Nelson Mandela then this is the film for you.