BlacKkKlansman
Going into this year's Best Picture nominees I was most excited for BlacKkKlansman. I've been a Spike Lee fan since Do The Right Thing and He Got Game. His films always tell a great story, and educate the viewer on important societal perspectives. This particular storyline is extremely unique, while also being based on true events. Unfortunately, my expectations may have been too high and set a bar that was unreachable.
Like many of this year's nominees, BlacKkKlansman is politically charged and extremely relevant for the current pulse of America. Based in the 70s, the film follows an up and coming Colorado detective, named Ron Stallworth (played by Denzel Washington's son John David). New to the force, he wants to break through and decides to infiltrate the Klu Klux Klan. As an African American, this becomes quite the task. He teams up with his caucasian partner Flip (played by Adam Driver), who just so happens to be Jewish. The two find themselves face to face with the very people that hate them, and have to keep cool in the most intense situations. If that plot alone doesn't draw you to the theatre, I don't know what will. BlacKkKlansman keeps you on the edge of your seat the entire time, while flaunts the great styles and jargon of the disco era.
While I loved the idea of the film, I found myself disappointed at times. The story is not told very well, and assumes the viewer understands the intricacies of a complex investigation. Many plot lines were unclear to me, and I found myself confused on how they got from point A to point B. I felt the acting was flat, and was a little disappointed in the variation b/t Washington's actual voice and his KKK impersonation (you'll understand if you see it). Although I understand it's a true story, some of the events just seem too implausible.
Where the film loses me in direction and performance, it wins me in cinematography and overall message. BlacKkKlansman serves as an important piece to show how far we HAVEN'T come in America. Social injustices are still very much alive in the African American community, and hatred continues despite progress we have made since slavery and segregation. Lee highlights events like Charlottesville and recent hate crimes to illustrate there is still progress to be made. He begs the audience to wake up, and stand up for what's right. Although Ron Stallworth played a big role in dethroning the KKK in Colorado, they still survive at the end of the film, and they still survive today. His bravery makes it seem easy for people like us. As a society we must communicate, educate, and do everything in our power to stop hatred and reject organizations like these.
Like many of this year's nominees, BlacKkKlansman is politically charged and extremely relevant for the current pulse of America. Based in the 70s, the film follows an up and coming Colorado detective, named Ron Stallworth (played by Denzel Washington's son John David). New to the force, he wants to break through and decides to infiltrate the Klu Klux Klan. As an African American, this becomes quite the task. He teams up with his caucasian partner Flip (played by Adam Driver), who just so happens to be Jewish. The two find themselves face to face with the very people that hate them, and have to keep cool in the most intense situations. If that plot alone doesn't draw you to the theatre, I don't know what will. BlacKkKlansman keeps you on the edge of your seat the entire time, while flaunts the great styles and jargon of the disco era.
While I loved the idea of the film, I found myself disappointed at times. The story is not told very well, and assumes the viewer understands the intricacies of a complex investigation. Many plot lines were unclear to me, and I found myself confused on how they got from point A to point B. I felt the acting was flat, and was a little disappointed in the variation b/t Washington's actual voice and his KKK impersonation (you'll understand if you see it). Although I understand it's a true story, some of the events just seem too implausible.
Where the film loses me in direction and performance, it wins me in cinematography and overall message. BlacKkKlansman serves as an important piece to show how far we HAVEN'T come in America. Social injustices are still very much alive in the African American community, and hatred continues despite progress we have made since slavery and segregation. Lee highlights events like Charlottesville and recent hate crimes to illustrate there is still progress to be made. He begs the audience to wake up, and stand up for what's right. Although Ron Stallworth played a big role in dethroning the KKK in Colorado, they still survive at the end of the film, and they still survive today. His bravery makes it seem easy for people like us. As a society we must communicate, educate, and do everything in our power to stop hatred and reject organizations like these.
Photo Credit: Amazon
Rating: 3/5
Movie Details: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt7349662/?ref_=nv_sr_1
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