BlacKKKlansman movie review

Movie Title:   Blackkklansman

Grade: A

Rating: R, 135 minutes

In a Nutshell:  “History written with lightening.”  Those were the words of Woodrow Wilson, describing the movie The Birth of a Nation (Kino Restored Edition).  Some might say the same of this movie.  You will be shocked and feel uncomfortable while you’re laughing.  It’s dark and light at the same time.  It’s clever and poignant at the same time.

What’s most outrageous about this movie is it’s based on a true story and the book Black Klansman: A Memoir.  Spike Lee takes a look at what has changed in America with race relations…and what has not.

Tips for parents: 

• Extreme racism, including the “N” word.  Super offensive in so many ways to African Americans, white Americans, Christians, and Jews.  Parents, please teach your children to be color-blind.
• Tons of profanity, including lots of F-bombs.
• There are lots of references to things young people probably won’t know about, like Archie Bunker, David Duke, the movie The Birth of a Nation (Kino Restored Edition), and the Black Panthers (no, not the movie).  When I was a teenager, I went to church with a former member of the Black Panthers, Eldridge Cleaver.  It’s true.  As you can imagine, it caused quite a stir in our little congregation.  Everyone was very kind and supportive to him as he was receiving lessons from the Mormon missionaries.  He was baptized and even became a Republican, speaking for both groups many times.  Sadly, his former habits and demons came back to haunt him and he was sentenced for burglary and cocaine possession before he died a few years later in California.  Interesting man.
• Gun violence

Uplifting theme: 

• Self-control
• Self-respect and respect for others.
• A human life has value, no matter the color or religious belief.

Things I liked:

• This is the first time I’ve seen John David Washington, son of the incredible Oscar-winning actor Denzel Washington.  His dad should be so proud.  John’s “white” accent was really good and hilarious.  Supposedly in real life, Ron Stallworth didn’t use a “white” voice on the phone. When his voice became high-pitched, he even sounded just like his dad.  The real Ron Stallworth originally wanted Denzel Washington to play him in the movie, but was thrilled when he learned Denzel’s son was going to do it.  He still carries his KKK card in his wallet.
• Adam Driver was excellent.  Really excellent.  The chemistry between him and John David Washington really made this film fun to watch.
• You see footage from actual historical events.
• Fun music that really takes you back to the 1970’s.  The song “Mary, Don’t you Weep” that played during the end credits was sung by the late Prince in his album Prince Ultimate Blues Collection part 3 Cd.
• I’m always grateful when at least some of the white people aren’t shown as complete idiots and bigots in “black” movies.  Not all white people are heartless racists, you know.
• Topher Grace did a great job as the insidious David Duke.  He later said that the role made him extremely depressed.  You get to see footage of the real David Duke as recent as last year, which sends shivers down your spine.  So evil.  Surprisingly, David Duke never found out that Ron Stallworth was a black man until 2006, when a reporter from the Miami Herald asked him for his side of the story!
• I love the movie poster (shown above), but not the other one with the upside down black and white flag.
• I always enjoy seeing Alec Baldwin.
• It was interesting seeing Harry Belafonte in the role he played.

Things I didn’t like:

• Sometimes I worry that movies like this will incite even more racism.  The real footage of events that took place in Virginia as recent as 2017 at the end of the movie was especially disturbing, because it showed how heated both sides STILL feel.  There is NO place for hate.

Funny lines:

• “Sir, some people speak King’s English and others speak Jive.  I can speak both.” – Ron Stallworth (John David Washington)
• “Hoods are not included.  That costs extra.” – Ivanhoe (Paul Walter Hauser)
• “You know what I think?” – Felix Kendrickson (Jasper Paakkonen)

“You think?” – Flip Zimmerman (Adam Driver)

• “I’ve got a serious question:  Shaft or Superfly?” – Ron Stallworth

Interesting lines:

• “It is time for you to stop running away from being black.” = Kwame Ture (Corey Hawkins)

@trinaboice