Allan Watched "Blackkklansman"
A painfully relevant story told to perfection, Blackkklansman is a fully realized film that was executed without a flaw.
Gut Feeling
Blackkklansman is not just one of the best movies of 2018, but it is likely the most polished product of the year and one of Spike Lee’s greatest achievements. Every scene in Blackkklansman effortlessly moves the plot along without a wasted moment, each captured brilliantly by Lee and wonderfully acted top to bottom. The levity that Lee finds in even the most serious interactions keeps it well balanced and a joy to watch, even between the countless scenes that will make your blood boil. If you told me Blackkklansman would sweep the four Golden Globe nominations it received, Best Motion Picture, Best Director (Lee), Best Actor (John David Washington), and Best Supporting Actor (Adam Driver), I would believe you. Looking forward, this could be the chance for Lee to win his first Academy Award.
Lee At His Best
Every choice made by Spike Lee worked. From the opening shot when Washington, playing the undercover cop who infiltrates the KKK, steps into the frame outside the police station, to the final moments we see of the actors on screen, each scene keeps the energy high and engaging. The first two acts move quickly, perhaps brushing up against rushed, covering a ton of ground in a short amount of time to get us fully introduced to Washington and Driver’s characters who are trying to take down the local KKK.
We get a really good idea of what motivates Ron Stallworth and Flip Zimmerman as they navigate their delicate mission, and we get all the data we need to detest the KKK members. Lee then slows down the third act, and we can live in the dramatic and tense moments that lead to its extraordinary conclusion. There are really no wrong moves in this film at all.
Allegorically Blunt
I’m not totally sure if a story can be considered an allegory when lines in the script are pulled right out of our current Preisdent’s mouth, but Lee and his writing partners do not shy away from highlighting how our countries recent history is still far from being resolved. The ending of this movie is certainly sobering, after what feels like a triumphant conclusion, but I’m glad they made that choice. Alec Baldwin’s opener as a fear-mongering racist propaganda machine was poignant and set the tone of what the story was fighting against. You don’t get hit over the head with messaging or feel berated by the point in Blackkklansman, though, as I felt with parts of Vice, but the story instead paints a clear picture by showing instead of telling.
No Weak Links
It must be hard to shake the expectations of being Denzel Washington’s son in a Spike Lee movie, but John David rises to the occasion. His character felt fresh when it could have easily felt canned, and he exudes confidence and control in even his character’s most frantic moments. His chemistry with Driver is great, and the two bounce off each other wonderfully as they basically create a character together within their mission. It is nice to see Driver play a character who doesn’t brood once, too. It is one of his most complete performances of his career. Driver and Washington’s praise is well deserved, and were also bolstered by an excellent supporting cast.
All of the KKK characters were dynamic, and not just cookie cutter Klan characters we’ve seen in the past. They range from the worst person I have ever seen to an oddly trusting Klansman, and the ones in between bring elements of humor or aspects that move the story along. Topher Grace is a better David Duke than I’m sure he wish he was, and gives the Klan leader an eerie calm that is haunting to the end. Laura Harrier rounds out the cast wonderfully as the love interest/activist, adding a layer of friction to Stallworth that was needed.
Random Thoughts
Great soundtrack. The music played in the bar had me moving. “It’s Too Late to Turn Back Now” and “Brandy” are two of my favorite songs of all time.
Washington isn’t the only family member of a famous actor in this film. Michael Buscemi, brother of Steve, plays one of the undercover cops who is basically the sound guy, and he does a good job! I was so relieved to see his last name in the credits because it would have been weird that someone who looks so much like Stevey B existed outside the gene pool.
Washington made his film debut as a six year old in Lee’s Malcolm X, starring his father. I think that’s cool.
There are no deleted scenes for this movie, which is pretty wild. It is a testament to how efficiently this script was written.
Grace and Harrier both bring the Spidey-verse to this film. Grace of course is in the second-worst Sprider-Man of all time, and Harrier in the best. I’m sure she boasted about that on set.
No title drops. It’s like people don’t even care to drop in the title for me these days…
“You ain’t nothing but a cold fart” is an insult that will always cut like a knife, whether it is 1975 or 2075. A truly sick burn.
Film > Digital
The moments right after Stallworth’s first contact with the KKK was some of the funniest stuff in a movie I have seen in a while. Effortlessly funny, in what is a serious moment.
Quick Hits:
How many times have I seen this movie?
Second time, first time since September.
Where was I watching it?
In my office while working on spreadsheets. The most fun.
Favorite Trivia About The Movie
The real Ron Stallworth, who wrote the source material based on his true story, wanted Denzel to play him (don’t we all). But I guess he forgot it was 2017 and DW was like 60 so it would be hard even for him to play a 20-something. Stallworth was reportedly “thrilled” that the young Washington would be the lead.
Favorite part
“That’s your actual name”.
Least favorite part
I can’t think of anything, if I’m being truly honest.
Would I recommend this movie?
Watch this movie people. Rent it for five bucks on Amazon like I did. It is great.
So What Does Allan Give It?
Two Gold Thumbs Up! Overall, a score of 95. Perfectly written, expertly captured, and performed brilliantly, Blackkklansman is exceptional in every way.
