This movie follows Ann Atwater (Taraji P. Henson), a civil rights activist in Durham, North Carolina, who battles with the Ku Klux Klan (KKK) leader C. P. Ellis (Sam Rockwell) for a decade until 1971, when the two agree to co-chair a two-week community meeting to deal with a court-ordered school desegregation decree, which changes both of their lives.
Since last year, we have seen movies about the start of a friendship between a white and a black person (Green Book). While this movie is also about the friendship between two main characters, this movie is nothing like Green Book. Green Book was problematic, focusing on the 'white savior' trope whilst this movir has a fleshed out narrative with both the character being their own person. And guess what, both of them save each other. She saves him from his racist mindset and he saves her and the black community by learning acceptance.
The best thing about this movie is the acting. Powerhouse performances by Taraji P. Henson and Sam Rockwell. They bring out the emotions and the human-ness in this real life personalities. But mostly, I have to commend Taraji, she steals whatever scenes she is in. Also, Anne Heche, no matter how little she is on screen, is brilliant. Also, the direction and the production design of this movie is fantastic. I love all tghe 70s costume and the makeup in this film.
My only complaint has to be that there's more emphasis on C.P. Ellis than on Ann Atwater. I agree that the story is about how he comes into term with acceptance but given the powerful performance by Taraji, I wanted more of her. In the end, you are left with wanting more of her.
Altogether, this is a beautiful film and I am happy with the story and the portrayal of an interracial friendship than I ever was with Green Book.
Since last year, we have seen movies about the start of a friendship between a white and a black person (Green Book). While this movie is also about the friendship between two main characters, this movie is nothing like Green Book. Green Book was problematic, focusing on the 'white savior' trope whilst this movir has a fleshed out narrative with both the character being their own person. And guess what, both of them save each other. She saves him from his racist mindset and he saves her and the black community by learning acceptance.
The best thing about this movie is the acting. Powerhouse performances by Taraji P. Henson and Sam Rockwell. They bring out the emotions and the human-ness in this real life personalities. But mostly, I have to commend Taraji, she steals whatever scenes she is in. Also, Anne Heche, no matter how little she is on screen, is brilliant. Also, the direction and the production design of this movie is fantastic. I love all tghe 70s costume and the makeup in this film.
My only complaint has to be that there's more emphasis on C.P. Ellis than on Ann Atwater. I agree that the story is about how he comes into term with acceptance but given the powerful performance by Taraji, I wanted more of her. In the end, you are left with wanting more of her.
Altogether, this is a beautiful film and I am happy with the story and the portrayal of an interracial friendship than I ever was with Green Book.
