BlacKkKlansman (Review)
BlacKkKlansman is an Embarrassment… For the Ku Klux Klan!
If the Academy doesn’t recognize BlackKkKlansman this year, then there really isn’t any justice in Hollywood anymore. That being said, it’s an incredibly difficult movie to watch at certain points. However, that’s the point. It’s never easy looking at what’s wrong with your country or maybe even you as a person. Personally, I like to believe that this country is getting more tolerant, even if we still hear about ignorant pieces of human garbage out there still shooting their mouths out. They’re a very vocal minority, but BlacKkKlansman manages to shine a light on what might be their most embarrassing moment, but a moment that I relished watching play on the big screen.
I’ll admit that I’ve never been a huge fan of Spike Lee joints not because of the subject matter of his films, but because his style of filmmaking never really appealed to me (same as Quentin Tarantino). However, his team up with Jordan Peele for BlacKkKlansman proves to be a match made in heaven. Like I said, this is not an easy film to watch, mostly because I hate thinking that I have to take bigots seriously. To me they’re an absurdity, but that’s my biggest mistake and one that BlacKkKlansman seeks to rectify. In other words, my white guilt started acting up because of the history of terrible things my ancestors might have done. However, this film isn’t quite as heavy-handed as many of Lee’s past movies. That’s mostly in part to the keen sense of humor used to counter the intense imagery and subject matter.
John David Washington is absolutely outstanding as Officer Ron Stallworth, a black officer who infiltrated the Ku Klux Klan in the late 70’s. Before you think that this can’t possibly be based on a true story, let me remind you that fact is often stranger than fiction. Stalworth actually worked with a white officer (Adam Driver) who would pose as him in person. The two managed to work their way into their local chapter of the Klan which included the likes of Jasper Pääkkönen, Ryan Eggold, and Paul Walter Hauser, all of whom do a tremendous job as intolerable racists. Stalworth and his partner even manage to make their way all the way up to David Duke (Topher Grace) without him being any the wiser that he was being tricked not just by a cop, but a black cop at that. The irony is absolutely delicious and this is easily one of the craziest stories I’ve ever heard or seen.
Much of BlacKkKlansman focuses on how awful the KKK and its members are. This is mirrored in the Black Power movement that also plays a big part in the movie. In a way, the two are almost like two sides of the same coin. That isn’t to say that the Black Power movement could be compared to white supremacists, but there is some dangerous rhetoric being used on both sides. Though one side is much more justified in their anger over the way America has treated them (I’ll give you a hint; it’s the side not wearing stupid pointed hoods). If you need a hint, it’s the one that burns crosses and dresses up in bed sheets. These conflicting sides though are reflected in Stallworth, who has to balance being a cop and being a black man. More than ever it’s clear that these groups have not always been on the same side, and Stallworth faces plenty of prejudice from a few of his fellow officers. However, I found it uplifting to see Stallworth supported by the vast majority of the force, especially those who worked closely with him. I’m not going to say “not all men” but it was nice seeing that not all the white guys in this film were total garbage.
The University of Southern California’s Annenberg Inclusion Initiative released its annual investigation into film diversity recently which stated that film diversity hasn’t changed much over the last decade. However, I think that films featuring people of color in the leads have been more memorable than any of the others. For me Blindspotting, Sorry to Bother You, and now BlacKkKlansman are some of the best of the year. These films are tackling both the blatant and invisible racism that still exists in all parts of society. The stuff that white people try so hard to ignore for the most part or even don’t want to believe in. These are eye-opening movies, especially in the case of BlacKkKlansman because it’s based on a true story. These films are more important than ever considering the current political climate in the country. I’m not going to stand here and preach to the choir here, but these movies are important to see in theaters. Let studios know that audiences want to see more of this.
While I know that I said this was a difficult film to watch, it’s an important one. Not only that, but it is incredibly well made. This combination means that no one really has an excuse not to go out and see BlacKkKlansman. Well, I imagine David Duke and his followers won’t be seeing it in theaters, but who wants them reading my movie review anyways? The point is that anyone who thinks of themselves as open-minded or “woke” will want to catch this film on the big screen. This is one of Spike Lee’s best movies to date and it only confirms my belief that Jordan Peele is going to be a game changer in Hollywood. This is most definitely an award-winning film, though one that I will have a hard time watching again. That being said, you should definitely take the time to check out BlacKkKlansman.
