Powerful film with multi layered messages

Rating: 8/10 (10 January 2011)

One of the stand out films of the last few years made strong by great acting from everyone, superb direction and outstanding photography.
The film left me with as many questions as answers. Is the USA really torn along racial lines, can someone with such a hate filled and violent background have reformed so quickly, and many more.
One of the first questions I ask after watching any film is "has this been a good use of my time". the answer is yes to this film - 2 hours well spent.
My only concern is the Avery Brooks character who seems a little too good to be true, but if such men exist then it is a better world. However, in some ways he can be seen as every bit as manipulative as the Stacy Keach character, albeit for the forces of good. In the world I live in people are seldom so clear cut.