Wow. How enthralling!
It has a slow beginning, but when Grandma We-wee (Octavia Spencer) shows up, she stirs a storm in Elliot's (Kevin Costner) already tempestuous life and the story begins. Great stakes are at risk.
In the first hour of the film, we learn about the characters, what they care for, what they hurt about, what they want. Eloise's (Jillian Estell) helpless position amidst the stormy relationship between her Grandma Wee-wee and her Grandfather "Papa" Elliot, pierces one's heart. The conflict grows gradually and relentlessly.
In the second hour of the film, I kept drying my tears! It has several high-voltage emotional moments. There are strong truths revealed. I felt Elliot's pain and dilemma—Kevin Costner is brilliant. The stronger antagonist appears: the Eloise's drug-addict father. For a very long moment, it feels like antagonism and injustice will win--I felt chills of worry, really! Tension builds up throughout until it peaks: terrible things happen and hearts are shattered and souls touched. The scene when Reggie has a change of heart is incredibly poignant: I heard sniffles in the audience...Tears rolled.
Black or White is strong drama, but it does have humorous bits that balance out the heaviness of the protagonist's ordeal. There's also great visual storytelling: Elliot's mirages, some physical confrontations, and the wordless dynamics between characters.
This is such a relevant film. We all want the best for our children. But what I find powerful is the theme and the message. In the end, it doesn't matter whether is black or white—what matters is whether is right or wrong. It's a beautiful script.
And it's also an honestly performed script. Kevin Costner shines: he invests himself into this flawed hero with such realism and conviction. Octavia Spencer is so sweet and pungent and a stubborn self-made woman. Jillian Estell: she is a darling and a stoic lovely little girl. Andre Holland (Reggie) is so genuine in his acting--he portrays a broken man with a hidden heart. And the interactions between Elliot, Grandma Wee-wee, the lawyers, and the judge are dramatic and hilarious. Overall fantastic performers!
The culmination of the story and the resolution of conflicts feel satisfactory. Our hero reaches his goal and more. And the child, gets the best of both worlds. There's forgiveness and healing.
Please watch it.
You'll walk out of the theater teary-eyed and with a smile!
Cheers.
It has a slow beginning, but when Grandma We-wee (Octavia Spencer) shows up, she stirs a storm in Elliot's (Kevin Costner) already tempestuous life and the story begins. Great stakes are at risk.
In the first hour of the film, we learn about the characters, what they care for, what they hurt about, what they want. Eloise's (Jillian Estell) helpless position amidst the stormy relationship between her Grandma Wee-wee and her Grandfather "Papa" Elliot, pierces one's heart. The conflict grows gradually and relentlessly.
In the second hour of the film, I kept drying my tears! It has several high-voltage emotional moments. There are strong truths revealed. I felt Elliot's pain and dilemma—Kevin Costner is brilliant. The stronger antagonist appears: the Eloise's drug-addict father. For a very long moment, it feels like antagonism and injustice will win--I felt chills of worry, really! Tension builds up throughout until it peaks: terrible things happen and hearts are shattered and souls touched. The scene when Reggie has a change of heart is incredibly poignant: I heard sniffles in the audience...Tears rolled.
Black or White is strong drama, but it does have humorous bits that balance out the heaviness of the protagonist's ordeal. There's also great visual storytelling: Elliot's mirages, some physical confrontations, and the wordless dynamics between characters.
This is such a relevant film. We all want the best for our children. But what I find powerful is the theme and the message. In the end, it doesn't matter whether is black or white—what matters is whether is right or wrong. It's a beautiful script.
And it's also an honestly performed script. Kevin Costner shines: he invests himself into this flawed hero with such realism and conviction. Octavia Spencer is so sweet and pungent and a stubborn self-made woman. Jillian Estell: she is a darling and a stoic lovely little girl. Andre Holland (Reggie) is so genuine in his acting--he portrays a broken man with a hidden heart. And the interactions between Elliot, Grandma Wee-wee, the lawyers, and the judge are dramatic and hilarious. Overall fantastic performers!
The culmination of the story and the resolution of conflicts feel satisfactory. Our hero reaches his goal and more. And the child, gets the best of both worlds. There's forgiveness and healing.
Please watch it.
You'll walk out of the theater teary-eyed and with a smile!
Cheers.