Harriet - 2 nominations

Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role - Cynthia Erivo

Best Achievement in Music Written for Motion Pictures (Original Song) - Cynthia Erivo, Joshuah Brian Campbell, For song "Stand Up"

The life story of Harriet Tubman, a leader in the underground railroad, is beyond compelling.  This woman was strong, brave, and was the only woman ever to lead a battalion of African American union soldiers.  She credited some of her success to being able to hear divine instructions, thereby avoiding those who would capture her and those who she led to safety only to return them to slavery, or terrible punishment.  The characters that surround Harriet are strong; people with a strong moral compass who do not need to have been born into slavery to know that they must get involved and do the right thing.  They judge what's right and wrong by that standard in and of itself.  They don't sit idly by and decide, "this doesn't affect me and therefore it is not important, and therefore it is not really a problem for someone else."  They put their own lives in danger, and Harriet, time after time, becomes a hero for not taking her rightful rest after having escaped, but inexplicably going back to help others as she was helped.  If there is any take away from Cynthia Erivo's brilliant performance, and from the beautiful song that she co-wrote and performed, it is this: one may never say that the politics of the day don't affect me personally and therefore are unimportant.  We must always "Stand Up."

Please enjoy the Academy Award nominated song:

There are innumerable biographies of Harriet Tubman, and I must admit that I haven't read one since elementary school.  But you know my admonition.  If you loved the film and you want to know the real story of her life, don't rely on the fictionalized version.  One highly reviewed version of Harriet's life is Harriet Tubman: Bound for the Promised Land.  I assure you that there are several others.

Watch the film trailer here: