Our Friend, Martin
By Jennifer Green,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Dated movie about MLK Jr. offers positive lessons for kids.
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What's the Story?
Two sixth graders are magically transported back in time to meet Martin Luther King Jr. and witness his fight against racism first-hand in OUR FRIEND, MARTIN. The boys, one white and one black, are best friends in the modern day but find they're treated quite differently when they travel to the US South in the 1950s and 1960s. They first meet King at his childhood home, where the elder Reverend King teaches life lessons about serving others and treating people with love and respect, even or especially in the face of hatred. They dip back in and out of King's life as he prepares to go to college early at the age of 15, plans a public transportation boycott in support of Rosa Parks, suffers serious threats for his efforts, and eventually rises to fame, culminating in the massive March on Washington in 1963. Two of the boys' classmates, a Latinx girl and a white bully, also travel to the March, and all four find their lives changed by their encounters with King.
Is It Any Good?
There's no disputing the good intentions of this educational movie or the importance and always-relevant lessons of Martin Luther King Jr.'s life and work. Our Friend, Martin seems to have left a lasting impression on two decades of American schoolchildren. But kids today are more media literate than ever, and this animated tale may feel outdated for some and even a bit hokey for others. This could unfortunately undermine its valuable messages and educational usefulness.
Some of the voices of the late-1990s star-studded cast are also likely less familiar to the film's target audience today, diminishing another potential draw. Still, for young audiences, Our Friend, Martin remains a suitable and entertaining introduction to King's values and his role in US history. Middle schoolers and older kids may respond better to more contemporary and realistic movies about King and America's racist past, of which there are quite a few powerful alternatives available.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about Martin Luther King, Jr. Did you learn anything new about his life by watching Our Friend, Martin? How could you learn more?
If you could travel back in time, which historical figure would you want to meet, and why?
Why do we celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day every year in the United States?
Have you ever encountered racism or sexism? What do you think is the best way to deal with it?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming: January 12, 1999
- Cast: Edward Asner , Angela Bassett , Lucas Black
- Directors: Robert Brousseau (as Rob Smiley) , Vincenzo Trippetti
- Inclusion Information: Female actors, Black actors
- Studio: DIC Entertainmment
- Genre: Family and Kids
- Topics: Activism , Magic and Fantasy , Great Boy Role Models , History , Middle School
- Character Strengths: Compassion , Courage , Integrity , Perseverance
- Run time: 61 minutes
- MPAA rating: G
- Last updated: January 31, 2023
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