narrow focus + questionable message = tough to recommend

Rating: Null/10 (15 February 2001)

this is not a bad movie, by any account, but we're forced to rely on the dynamics of two well-drawn characters lost in a sea of cardboard cutouts.
the only thing clearly illustrated is how violent acts can be deeply influenced by racism, if it is allowed to properly ferment. outside this very narrow observation, shown more clearly elsewhere, there is very little of profound substance that can ultimately be taken from this film.
what i saw was an illustration of the existence of racism, with no real message imparted regarding how good or bad racism is. face it: how many of these events would have transpired if the secondary characters had been nearly as fully realized as the two brothers?
additionally, although it was certainly beyond the focus of this film, only the most common "type" of racism--black v. white--is explored. when discussing racism, all its dynamics and forms need to be presented, whether it's b v. w, whites v. indians, asians v. blacks, whatever. this is a problem shared by all races, and pretending it's the sole province of one or two will, in the end, only exacerbate the situation.
also, it seems odd to me that the movie never wholly condemns racism, which was and is its noble and laudable "mission." there are certainly as many plot points providing justification for despising another race as decrying that same hatred--and all this does is cloud the issue. sure many things exist as shades of grey, but where is the hard stance against what is an obvious evil? it seems that anyone with preconceptions about race, regardless of whether they're racist, can find those preconceptions justified within the focus of this film. try watching the film from the polar opposite point-of-view from what you have, and you'll find the "other side" has some beliefs that are addressed and coddled.
so i'm left with the only clear message of the film: racism is bad...right?
of course i know the answer, but i'm glad i didn't have to look to this film for any sort of enlightenment.