The Best of Enemies (2019)

I enjoyed watching this. I haven't been a fan of the recent influx of black/inferiority complex films that have started springing up as it is a definite approach at having everything go back in reverse almost as though it's time for reminders of what was which does no good. That said, I enjoyed watching this, both main actors are people who usually put on good performances and this was no different.

Fmovies: In an age where stories that focus on racial tensions in the US tend to be either oversimplified and/or propogandistic, this truth-based story hits a grand slam home run. Henson and Rockwell both deserve Oscar nods for their electric performances, and the writing is spot on. My only issue with it would be that while the story really took its time to show Rockwell's character as a three dimensional human being with vulnerabilities, flaws (obviously), and attributes, it did not do this on the same level with Henson's character, who left me feeling like I barely got a glimpse of her life as a mother and activist. But all in all, well worth a few hours in a theater.

I will attempt not to have spoilers- but beware- I will be specific. I thought it would be hard to find sympathy for the head of a local group of the Klu Klux Klan, and yet, this film pulled it off. Not because I believe in beliefs and tactics of the KKK (as a liberal former Catholic woman with Jewish friends- oh, no, indeed). Rather because I gained an understanding of the mindset of poor working men in the South for whom seeing the true enemy (the powers in the community (white, male power brokers)) would have been dangerous. The acting in this film was superb with special kudos to Taraji P. Henson who in her wordless scenes expresses the reality of her character's history and the hardships she endures for a cause bigger than herself. I know this sounds like the film is didactic- but it isn't. It is a mini-history lession and one that I thoroughly enjoyed.

The Best of Enemies fmovies. A solid supporting cast and fantastic set and costume design help create a town that feels utterly authentic to the time and place. Predictability and issues with pacing and balance are swept aside by an incredible true story bolstered by strong performances from Sam Rockwell and Taraji P. Henson. It's a little graceless and heavy handed in its delivery at certain points but the final product is a genuine, relevant and touching film.

It is refreshing that Hollyweird has to go back 50 years for racism films. This is a 1960s KKK flick with great acting. Both the leads are outstanding and getting their inner struggle across to the audience. Rockwell is always stealing scenes. The Academy eats this stuff up so expect to see it up for best movie: black victim and white man is evil, black victim overcomes, lots of racism -- if they had a child with a disease or a gay dude it would have been a guaranteed winner: see GREEN BOOK, KKKlansman, 12 YEARS, etc.

Although some reviews relegate this to the "sanitized racial reconciliation narrative" dump pile, I believe that movies like this inspire people to learn more and they are worth every bit of time and investment. Thankful that producers continue to find stories like this can give us hope in a world where most of what we see on the news and are offered in theaters and streaming services are based on concerningly sick and/or violent themes that leave me feeling angry, fearful and depressed.