The Best Of Enemies Movie Review

The movie “The Best Of Enemies” was directed by Robin Bissell and produced by Matt Berenson, Robin Bissell, and Danny Strong. The film’s writers are Robin Bissell and Osha Gray Davidson. The film features Taraji P. Henson, Sam Rockwell Born on November 5, 1968, in Daly City, California >> Read More... , Babou Ceesay, Anne Heche Anne Heche is a Hollywood actress, famous for her >> Read More... , Wes Bentley When actor Wes Bentley was just 21-year-old, he wa >> Read More... , Nick Searcy, Bruce McGill, John Gallagher Jr John was born to June Gallagher and John Gallagher >> Read More... ., Nicholas Logan, Gilbert Glenn Brown, Caitlin Mehner, Dolan Wilson, Morgan Mackey, Kendall Ryan Sanders, Chris Cavalier, Malerie Grady, Ryan Dinning, and Najah Jackson. Marcelo Zarvos composed the music used in the film. The film’s cinematographer was David Lanzenberg David Lazenberg is a French director of photograph >> Read More... , and the film’s editor was Harry Yoon.  

Plot 

The film’s protagonists are Ann Atwater, played by Taraji P. Henson, and C.P. Ellis, played by Sam Rockwell. Ann Atwater was an African American activist who aimed for desegregation in the South, while C.P. Ellis was the chapter President of the Ku Klux Klan in the South. In 1971, when the school that the African American children attended was burned in a fire, the school that the whites attended refused to allow the African American students on its premises. As a result, the African American students were forced to study in the salvageable structure of their burnt building while reconstruction was going on. Bill Riddick, played by Babou Ceesay, arranges for Ann and C.P. to meet to discuss desegregation. At first, they hate each other, but they slowly warm up to each other as they spend time discussing the issue and learn more about each other’s lives. The film follows them as they slowly forge a legendary friendship that lasted for decades.

Star Performance

Sam Rockwell gives a stellar performance as C.P. Ellis. He perfectly captures his beliefs, haughtiness, vulnerabilities, and reform. Taraji P. Henson also gives a good performance and is funny and charming as Ann Atwater. 

Analysis 

The film maintains a pleasant atmosphere despite being based on a sensitive topic. The film stays true to the reality without any unnecessary dramatization. 

What’s There?

• Stellar performances from Sam Rockwell and Taraji P. Henson

• A heartwarming and inspiring story of how C.P. Ellis, a staunch white supremacist came to realize that his organization was unnecessarily hateful 

What’s Not There?

• The film focuses more on C.P. Ellis than Ann Atwater, and her character is often missing from the plot for long stretches of time

• The film focuses more on the Ku Klux Klan and its members activities and pushes the African American children who were suffering in a still smoldering building to the background

Verdict

The film’s has an inspiring story and a stellar star cast. The film would be a good watch for drama and history enthusiasts since the film is based on true events.