BlacKkKlansman (A- or 3.5/4 stars)
'BlacKkKlansman' is Spike Lee's best - and most provocative - film since Do the Right Thing 29 yrs. ago. Though this based-on-a true-story takes place in the 1970s, this film is a strong indictment of racism in America both then & now -- we see how in today's society as it is, plenty of the attitudes & actions of 'then' have not improved in the 'now'. I find the film a little tonally uneven, but powerful, nonetheless. Based on his own 2014 book, we follow our main character Ron Stallworth (played by Denzel Washington's son, John David Washington), a cop who became Colorado Springs' Police Dept.'s 1st African-American detective. His 1st mission: go undercover & infiltrate the local chapter of the Ku Klux Klan via telephone conversations!
Ron calls Walter Breachway (Ryan Eggold), pretending to be a racist, but using his real name - ruh-roh - & his smooth, CAUCASIAN-sounding voice. Walter is pres. of the local KKK & wants to meet in person. Obviously, Ron can't do this, so a vet member of his task force, Flip Zimmerman (a great Adam Driver), shows up as Ron Stallworth wearing a wire, instead {that he's Jewish and the KKK hates Jews, too, makes it all the more interesting}. All the while, the real Ron continues to fine-tune his ties to the KKK by reaching out to the 'organization's' leader in Louisiana, David Duke (Topher Grace).
Almost everyone is happy with this new recruit, except loco member, Felix (Finnish actor, Jasper Paakkonen), his cheerily racist wife, Connie (Ashlie Atkinson) & dumb, slob Ivanhoe (Paul Walter Hauser, who played Shawn in last yr.'s I, Tonya). They are determined to kill black folks, with Connie being particularly set on activist leader, Patrice (Ron's new love interest). They contrive a plan which allows Connie to prove her worth {bomb, much?}. Ron & Flip get wind of the murderous plot and, before Flip's cover is blown by the treacherous Felix, he & Ron must warn Patrice before it's too late.
This is, essentially, the perfect kind of story for Spike Lee to provide us; he has always spoken out - in his films - about social justice & the need for change. There might have been some liberties taken with the facts in the film, and yet, it's STILL an "I can't believe this is true!" absurdist true story! This film is well written & contains more than enough deadpan humor to keep even the most blase viewer intrigued. But this movie is also sadly & scarily parallel to what is happening in America today. Released close to the anniversary of Charlottesville, 'BlacKkKlansman' illustrates {in the final 5 min. of this film}, very soberingly, how things haven't changed much since the '70s. Spike Lee drops the hammer here by providing a robust denouncement on our current administration's prejudiced policies.
The cast is exemplary. John David Washington is mesmerizing {and not just because he's Denzel's son}. He exudes ease onscreen and combines humor with a real passion for his job, all while coping with the KKK & racist asides from within his own police dept.. And Washington plays beautifully off of Adam Driver, who is excellent as Flip Zimmerman; displaying courage under fire & overcoming touchy situations where he must think quick on his feet among the prying eyes of the KKK. The possibility that Flip will be found out by the Klan is a constant source of worry for the characters AND for us, the viewers. And much like the film at hand, Driver balances that sense of worry with bits of comic relief so very well.
The supporting cast impresses, too. Alec Baldwin opens the film as a loathly Dr. Kennebrew Beauregard. Jasper Paakkonen is suitably vile in his disdain for blacks & Jews. He never trusts Driver, so his constant doubts are a huge source of this film's tension. Ashlie Atkinson is suitably revolting as Felix's wife. Topher Grace impresses as the KKK's national director, David Duke. And Harry Belafonte lends great gravitas in his 3 min. cameo. Although it's occasionally weighed down by cinematic flourishes, heavy-handedness & a lengthy running time, this DARK comedy is one of Spike Lee's most accessible, entertaining films of all. You'll laugh, you'll enjoy Lee's selection of 70s music, you'll feel the tension, & you may tear-up in the end, as well.
Ron calls Walter Breachway (Ryan Eggold), pretending to be a racist, but using his real name - ruh-roh - & his smooth, CAUCASIAN-sounding voice. Walter is pres. of the local KKK & wants to meet in person. Obviously, Ron can't do this, so a vet member of his task force, Flip Zimmerman (a great Adam Driver), shows up as Ron Stallworth wearing a wire, instead {that he's Jewish and the KKK hates Jews, too, makes it all the more interesting}. All the while, the real Ron continues to fine-tune his ties to the KKK by reaching out to the 'organization's' leader in Louisiana, David Duke (Topher Grace).
Almost everyone is happy with this new recruit, except loco member, Felix (Finnish actor, Jasper Paakkonen), his cheerily racist wife, Connie (Ashlie Atkinson) & dumb, slob Ivanhoe (Paul Walter Hauser, who played Shawn in last yr.'s I, Tonya). They are determined to kill black folks, with Connie being particularly set on activist leader, Patrice (Ron's new love interest). They contrive a plan which allows Connie to prove her worth {bomb, much?}. Ron & Flip get wind of the murderous plot and, before Flip's cover is blown by the treacherous Felix, he & Ron must warn Patrice before it's too late.
This is, essentially, the perfect kind of story for Spike Lee to provide us; he has always spoken out - in his films - about social justice & the need for change. There might have been some liberties taken with the facts in the film, and yet, it's STILL an "I can't believe this is true!" absurdist true story! This film is well written & contains more than enough deadpan humor to keep even the most blase viewer intrigued. But this movie is also sadly & scarily parallel to what is happening in America today. Released close to the anniversary of Charlottesville, 'BlacKkKlansman' illustrates {in the final 5 min. of this film}, very soberingly, how things haven't changed much since the '70s. Spike Lee drops the hammer here by providing a robust denouncement on our current administration's prejudiced policies.
The cast is exemplary. John David Washington is mesmerizing {and not just because he's Denzel's son}. He exudes ease onscreen and combines humor with a real passion for his job, all while coping with the KKK & racist asides from within his own police dept.. And Washington plays beautifully off of Adam Driver, who is excellent as Flip Zimmerman; displaying courage under fire & overcoming touchy situations where he must think quick on his feet among the prying eyes of the KKK. The possibility that Flip will be found out by the Klan is a constant source of worry for the characters AND for us, the viewers. And much like the film at hand, Driver balances that sense of worry with bits of comic relief so very well.
The supporting cast impresses, too. Alec Baldwin opens the film as a loathly Dr. Kennebrew Beauregard. Jasper Paakkonen is suitably vile in his disdain for blacks & Jews. He never trusts Driver, so his constant doubts are a huge source of this film's tension. Ashlie Atkinson is suitably revolting as Felix's wife. Topher Grace impresses as the KKK's national director, David Duke. And Harry Belafonte lends great gravitas in his 3 min. cameo. Although it's occasionally weighed down by cinematic flourishes, heavy-handedness & a lengthy running time, this DARK comedy is one of Spike Lee's most accessible, entertaining films of all. You'll laugh, you'll enjoy Lee's selection of 70s music, you'll feel the tension, & you may tear-up in the end, as well.