Welcome one and all to part 48 of my weekly blog, The 52 In 52. Each week I take a DVD or Blu Ray from my collection that has been gathering dust and I review it. Last week I reviewed the odd and hilarious The Dead Don't Die.
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This week I will be writing about BlacKkKlansman. released in 2018 BlacKkKlansman is based on a memoir by Ron Stallworth and was directed by Spike Lee and produced by Lee, Jordan Peele and Jason Blum. The story is set in 1972 as Ron Stallworth (John David Washington) begins working in the Colorado Springs police department. After a lot of obstacles Stallworth begins work as a detective trying to infiltrate a local Ku Klux Klan chapter. Stallworth partners with Flip Zimmerman (Adam Driver) to get closer to the chapter of the Klan.
BlacKkKlansman is probably up there with my favourite films of the year. The writing on this film is what stood out to me. The story and time frame in American history is controversial and very serious and what BlacKkKlansman does is acknowledge the inflammatory nature of the unfolding events but, also infuses it with humour and emotional depth showing the personal lives of all the people involved. There are a lot of not so subtle nods to the current events taking place in America with relation to racial discrimination. The beginning of the 3rd act is wonderful with the juxtaposition between the induction ceremony into the Ku Klux Klan by David Duke (Topher Grace) and the speech by Harry Belafonte. The final act unfolds in a really exciting way that, even if you know the story, is exciting and real edge of your seat story telling.
The way in which the film is shot is very cinematic way, which sounds obvious but, there is a grainy quality that makes the film feel like the time period it is set. I really enjoyed the interactions between David Duke and Ron Stallworth. The way in which the two interacted and only the audience were wise to the deception was entertaining.
The musical score used throughout felt both modern but, also not out of place in the time period the film was set. The score in the 3rd act really helped add to the tension to the unfolding events.
There wasn't a single bad performance. I wasn't really aware of John David Washington before watching the film but, I felt he really inhabited the role and found a great balance between strength and vulnerability. Topher Grace is over the top to almost pantomime levels as David Duke. Laura Harrier is fantastic as Patrice, although I would have liked to have seen more of her.
Overall BlacKkKlansman is a fantastic mix of comedy and drama. Whilst some of the elements of the story have been called into question, it's hard not to enjoy it. The cast is stellar and really show that the right cast can really improve on an already great story. Easily one of the best film of the last 5 years.
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