Shirley movie review: Regina Kings fine performance elevates an average biopic [Video]

Shirley begins with a graphic that says, “In 1968 there were 435 elected representatives to the House of Congress.” It goes on to say, “11 of those were women, 5 of them were Black and none of them were Black women.” The statements show what a pioneer Shirley Chisholm (Regina King) was when she was elected to the United States Congress from New York.

Chisholm strongly resists the Speaker of the House, John W. McCormack, assigning her to serve on the House Agriculture Committee, as she feels she cannot help the urbanites who voted for her. In 1972, Chisholm announces her decision to run for President. With barely enough funds, even with putting in her own money, the campaign runs on conviction and straight talk much to the despair of Chisholm’s campaign manager, Stanley Townsend (Brian Stokes Mitchell).

Chisholm’s husband, Conrad (Michael Cherrie), her mentor and advisor, Wesley McDonald “Mac” Holder …