The Hate U Give (A- or 3.5/4 stars)
Based on Angie Thomas' award-winning young-adult novel, 'The Hate U Give' (directed by George Tillman Jr.) is an engrossing social justice drama that revolves around high schooler Starr Carter (Amandla Stenberg, of Everything, Everything), who is trying to maintain an emotional balance as she lives 2 different lives {and 'code-switching'}. In the first, Starr version "1.0" resides in the poor, predominantly black Georgia community of Garden Heights. And in the second, Starr "2.0" attends Williamson Prep, a posh, predominantly white private school on the right side of the tracks. She doesn't feel at home there, but makes the best of it: as the only black girl, she's popular, excels at basketball, & dates nice-guy - and white - Chris (KJ Apa).
Her father Maverick (Russell Hornsby, from Fences) & mother Lisa (Regina Hall) have made Starr, her half-brother Seven (Lamar Johnson) & young brother Sekani well aware of police harassment of black people; drilling them on how to respond respectfully if and/or when they're pulled over. One night, when Starr goes to a local house party, she runs into Khalil (Algee Smith, so good in last yr.'s Detroit), a childhood friend who works for King (Anthony Mackie), the crime lord who terrorizes Garden Heights. As Khalil is driving Starr home, he changes lanes without signaling and is stopped.
Standing by his car, Khalil reaches for his hairbrush, which the cop assumes is a gun. Khalil is shot & tragically dies with hysterical Starr at his side. Traumatized, Starr's ex-con, strict, but loving father understands the PTSD that she is suffering and, her uncle Carlos (rapper, Common), a cop himself, tries to explain the nighttime tensions that law enforcement officers do face. All the while, Starr worries what would happen to her life at school if they found out that she was affiliated with this crime; and if she goes public as the only witness to Khalil's murder, she & her family might face deadly retaliation from crime lord, King. Facing immense pressures from both sides of her community, Starr must find her voice & figure out the right thing to do. Everything culminates in one, high-charged, startling climax.
The way this story is structured & how these people are characterized is superb, as I was unable to predict where the film was going. We've also seen many films with themes of police brutality/racial injustice, but none to my memory speaks of it with more accuracy, urgency, and in such a contemporary setting. You know, right off the bat, the 1st scene of this movie brilliantly establishes the kind of story it is going to tell with Maverick giving his kids "the talk" - not about sex, but about how to act when around law enforcement. One of the best components of this film is how supportive & loving the Carter family is; and as a police officer himself, Starr's uncle Carlos adds layers of complexity to this hotbed situation.
Amandla Stenberg delivers a captivating performance, here -- grounded, nuanced & natural. The story centers on her and, she has one of those gloriously open faces that can convey every emotion on the spectrum; we see the trauma on her face, the crippling PTSD she develops, the sweet joy when she beams into a smile, & the determination in finding her voice & recognizing how much difference that voice can make while knowing the consequences of her actions. Most of the cast provide outstanding performances. But, the actor who steals every moment he's onscreen is Russell Hornsby as Starr's father. Sure, he looks intimidating ... but the way his character is written is so powerful and the way he delivers his lines can either bring goose bumps or make your eyes well-up. I also loved Regina Hall as Starr's mom. The one weak aspect of the film, for me though, is Anthony Mackie's one-note drug lord who threatens Starr & her folks -- Villain 101.
Many young adult adaptations fall short of expectations, but this one is excellent and, an ideal film for teens, their parents, and anyone else to soak up & contemplate {a film that classes should take school trips to see}. Topics up for post-screening discussion could range from what to do when a party goes-wrong, to more troubling issues of racism, & the tensions btwn. police & the communities they're 'serving'. Because it IS so thought-provoking, 'The Hate U Give' isn't necessarily an escapist teen flick, but like I said earlier, it's so well acted, thoroughly engrossing, and timely. More than about suspect police shootings, it's also about railing against injustice, the importance of family, healing hearts, finding true friends & uniting communities.
Her father Maverick (Russell Hornsby, from Fences) & mother Lisa (Regina Hall) have made Starr, her half-brother Seven (Lamar Johnson) & young brother Sekani well aware of police harassment of black people; drilling them on how to respond respectfully if and/or when they're pulled over. One night, when Starr goes to a local house party, she runs into Khalil (Algee Smith, so good in last yr.'s Detroit), a childhood friend who works for King (Anthony Mackie), the crime lord who terrorizes Garden Heights. As Khalil is driving Starr home, he changes lanes without signaling and is stopped.
Standing by his car, Khalil reaches for his hairbrush, which the cop assumes is a gun. Khalil is shot & tragically dies with hysterical Starr at his side. Traumatized, Starr's ex-con, strict, but loving father understands the PTSD that she is suffering and, her uncle Carlos (rapper, Common), a cop himself, tries to explain the nighttime tensions that law enforcement officers do face. All the while, Starr worries what would happen to her life at school if they found out that she was affiliated with this crime; and if she goes public as the only witness to Khalil's murder, she & her family might face deadly retaliation from crime lord, King. Facing immense pressures from both sides of her community, Starr must find her voice & figure out the right thing to do. Everything culminates in one, high-charged, startling climax.
The way this story is structured & how these people are characterized is superb, as I was unable to predict where the film was going. We've also seen many films with themes of police brutality/racial injustice, but none to my memory speaks of it with more accuracy, urgency, and in such a contemporary setting. You know, right off the bat, the 1st scene of this movie brilliantly establishes the kind of story it is going to tell with Maverick giving his kids "the talk" - not about sex, but about how to act when around law enforcement. One of the best components of this film is how supportive & loving the Carter family is; and as a police officer himself, Starr's uncle Carlos adds layers of complexity to this hotbed situation.
Amandla Stenberg delivers a captivating performance, here -- grounded, nuanced & natural. The story centers on her and, she has one of those gloriously open faces that can convey every emotion on the spectrum; we see the trauma on her face, the crippling PTSD she develops, the sweet joy when she beams into a smile, & the determination in finding her voice & recognizing how much difference that voice can make while knowing the consequences of her actions. Most of the cast provide outstanding performances. But, the actor who steals every moment he's onscreen is Russell Hornsby as Starr's father. Sure, he looks intimidating ... but the way his character is written is so powerful and the way he delivers his lines can either bring goose bumps or make your eyes well-up. I also loved Regina Hall as Starr's mom. The one weak aspect of the film, for me though, is Anthony Mackie's one-note drug lord who threatens Starr & her folks -- Villain 101.
Many young adult adaptations fall short of expectations, but this one is excellent and, an ideal film for teens, their parents, and anyone else to soak up & contemplate {a film that classes should take school trips to see}. Topics up for post-screening discussion could range from what to do when a party goes-wrong, to more troubling issues of racism, & the tensions btwn. police & the communities they're 'serving'. Because it IS so thought-provoking, 'The Hate U Give' isn't necessarily an escapist teen flick, but like I said earlier, it's so well acted, thoroughly engrossing, and timely. More than about suspect police shootings, it's also about railing against injustice, the importance of family, healing hearts, finding true friends & uniting communities.