Tanya’s Score: Good*
Rated: 14A
Starring: a chip off the old Denzel, the boy from Girls, that 70s kid
Plot: In the early 70s, a black police officer (John David Washington) successfully infiltrates a Coloradan chapter of the Klu Klux Klan with the help of a white alter ego (Adam Driver).
Tanya’s Verdict: There’s a lot to like in this movie – especially in the first half when the story starts to take shape. The characters, as well as the plot set-up make for a compelling film. Yet, I found the spell somewhat broken as the movie marched into its second half – background music became heavy-handed to the point of overwhelming and certain plot elements (for me) destroyed the believability of the story. I won’t get into specifics so as not to spoil anything.
The clearcut and sometimes divisive nature of the good and bad and seemingly black and white (pardon the pun) of the situation – with the character Ron Stallworth straddling the two worlds took me out of the movie. I get it – sometimes a message needs to be over-powering for the point to be made, for society to change. And maybe this is Spike Lee’s intention – it would definitely not be the first time he used a film to highlight societal issues involving racial integration, racism and acceptance. Lee’s message definitely comes through loud and clear- and maybe it will effect change – maybe not.
But in terms of my movie-watching experience, the message overshadowed the story and removed me from it. Still – a pretty good film.
*Four score descriptions: Sh**; Okay; Good; Great