Get On The Bus

Get On The Bus is an enthralling 1996 drama film directed by the illustrious filmmaker, Spike Lee. It sports an impressive ensemble cast which includes Ossie Davis, known for his acting and directing, Charles S. Dutton, a forceful actor who frequently portrays authority figures, and Andre Braugher, a celebrated actor known for his intense performances. This film is a unique societal and cultural exploration formed around the 1995 Million Man March at the National Mall in Washington, D.C.

Lee's film is a pilgrimage narrative following a diverse group of fifteen African-American men from Los Angeles who embark on a cross-country journey in a multicolored bus to the historical Million Man March. The collection of characters who traverse American highways provides snippets of the wide swath of Black America, representing an array of personalities, experiences, attitudes, and viewpoints. This multi-generational group is used as a microcosm, reflecting the diversities and similarities within the broader African American community.

The story begins with a young man, played by Richard Belzer, who plans to capitalize on the excitement surrounding the Million Man March by creating a video diary of the trip. The group’s members come from various walks of life. Amongst them are Ossie Davis's character, a genial, older gentleman whose wisdom and experience manifest throughout the voyage. Dutton plays a stern, blue-collar father who insists on boarding the bus with his reluctant and resentful adult son, portrayed by extraordinary actor De'Aundre Bonds, who's been fitted with handcuffs.

There's the gay couple played prudently by Harry Lennix and Isaiah Washington, who suffer prejudice from both outside and within the group. Then, there's "Smooth" aka Gary, the charismatic and seemingly jovish film agent who is hiding a prickly personality beneath layers of bravado. Andre Braugher plays the role of this complex character with a delicacy that makes him one of the most unforgettable characters of the film.

Wendell, a struggling actor who boards the bus with his convivial persona, is another refined character portrayed by Hill Harper. We also witness characters like an LAPD officer, a former gang member, a Republican, and a Muslim, each of them carrying their own life experiences, struggles, and perspectives, which make the cross-country journey a unity in diversity.

The bus itself can be interpreted as a symbol, an encapsulation of the African-American experience, containing complications, divisions, and connections. As the physical embodiment of a significant moment in black history, the bus is simultaneously a vessel for moving forward and a reminder of the historical miles still to travel.

Along the way, the men communicate with multiple rest stops that serve as podiums for commentating on complex matters such as religion, masculinity, politics, racism and somehow, through all of these circuitous conversations, their disagreements become platforms for understanding. It encapsulates the thematic spectrum of the film implying that, within the African American community, unity doesn't mean uniformity.

Spike Lee gracefully utilizes a ‘moving space’ to provide an intimate look into the fears, hopes, dreams, and conflicts found within a marginalized group of American society. It employs a docu-drama style that melds elements of comedy, drama, and political commentary, enhancing its emotional depth and relevance. The film's fluid cinematography, poignant storytelling, and dynamic performances create a sociopolitical symphony that addresses multiple aspects of the African American experience.

The film captures the friction between different world views, ideologies, and identities, culminating in conflicts that are at times explosive. However, these conflicts continually pave the way for reconciliation, understanding, and mutual respect, mirroring the broader mission of the Million Man March - unity and responsibility.

Anchored by its commanding performances, especially those from Ossie Davis, Dutton, and Braugher, Get On The Bus capably highlights the diversity of the African American experience. It blends humor and seriousness in bittersweet proportions, rendering a cultural commentary that's as enlightening as it is entertaining. The eclectic characters and the journey they undertake provide a snapshot of an era and its unique complexities, making Get On The Bus as much an ode to unity as it is a chronicle of a monumental moment in African American history.