Hollywood tackles many different issues when striving to send a message, especially when the issue is racially slanted. Many films throughout film history have addressed this issue: "To Kill a Mockingbird", '62, "Guess Who's Coming to Dinner" '67, "The Color Purple" '85, "Ghosts of Mississippi" '96, "A Time to Kill" '96, "Lee Daniels' The Butler" '13, "Selma" '14, to mention a handful. Since racial tension has been at an all time high of late, this was a perfect time to release "The Best of Enemies" addressing school integration back in 1971.
Based on a true story, "The Best of Enemies" centers on the unlikely relationship between Ann Atwater (Taraji P. Henson), an outspoken civil rights activist, and C.P. Ellis (Sam Rockwell), a local Ku Klux Klan exalted Cyclops leader who reluctantly co-chaired a community summit created by Bill Riddick (Babou Ceesay), who is from Raleigh, North Carolina, battling over the desegregation of schools in Durham, North Carolina during the racially-charged summer of 1971. The more Atwater and Ellis attempted to thwart each others tactics considering how passionate their positions were, the more they oddly seemed to connect, albeit slowly, but connect. The incredible events that unfolded would change Durham and the lives of Atwater and Ellis forever.
Others to round out the cast are Nick Searcy as Garland Keith, Wes Bentley as Floyd Kelly, Anne Heche as Mary Ellis, C.P.'s wife, Bruce McGill as Carvie Oldham, John Gallagher Jr. as Lee Trombley, Nicholas Logan as Wiley Yates, Gilbert Glenn Brown as Howard Clement, Caitlin Mehner as Maddy Mays and Dolan Wilson as Councilman Bill Atkins.
This was written and directed by virtual newcomer to writing and directing, Robin Bissell. He has produced films such as "Seabiscuit" '03, "Just Add Water" '08, "The Tale of Despereaux" '08, "The Hunger Games" '12 and "Free State of Jones" '16. With his ability of producing, certainly this has given him that jump ahead to not only be able to showcase his craft, but with that, this showed that this filmmaker definitely has future work. Certainly both Henson and Rockwell had incredible chemistry and know how to be convincing is any role-- they've proven themselves time and again, but this is certainly the ability of an effective director to be able to extract the emotions in which he had done. The writing was effective as well, which tells me that this guy is a natural. Is this film without flaws? Absolutely not. There are a couple of places of choppiness and some cohesive issues, but considering this is Bissell's first screenplay, it was awesome! I've seen seasoned screenwriters that were not as effective. If this is his first script, I'm waiting to see what he'll write next--and there will be a next script. Both Henson and Rockwell simply shined in this. Considering their huge differences, these two experienced actors were able to have these two characters connect in such subtle and realistic ways.
If message, intense, storylines are your thing, you'll revel with this. It's not only a great history lesson, but a moral lesson as well, without feeling like you're being preached to. The acting, writing and directing will definitely keep you riveted to your theater seat.
Out of 4 Stars: 3.5 Rated: PG-13 134mins.
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