BlacKkKlansman: A Dark Dive Into The White Power Underbelly

Rating: 9/10 (5 March 2019)

What stuck out to me about this film in particular was the bluntness within it's dialogue, both within humorous scenes as well as tense ones, providing a satisfying sense of poignant realism to discussions between characters. It
especially aided in making the vile opinions and beliefs stated by the klansmen in particular feel all the more unhinged and threatening, especially from Pääkkönen's character who oozed uncomfortable tension all throughout the picture. But this bluntness also helped the message as well, making it feel far more grounded and farther reaching than one may initially perceive.
The directing style within BlacKkKlansman is quite unique at times, sometimes incorporating elements of blaxploitation films from the early 70's, in which the film is set. Certain scenes, most notably one in the 3rd act that cleverly juxtaposes the Ku Klux Klan's meeting with a nearby civil rights rally, work effortlessly to build a sense of disgust within the viewer. The ending is especially daunting and heavy, leading into actual footage of the Charlottesville rally as periled screams and hateful chants are interspersed to intensify the message. At the very least, I walked away from the film both impressed by the craft but internally shaken from the rush it gave.
The acting on display is phenomenally performed, as the main cast remains quite likable despite having to say such vile things while attempting to infiltrate the KKK. John David Washington as Ron Stallworth does well with balancing both a humorous side whenever needed while also displaying the correct amount of restraint during the more tonally serious moments. As for the villains of the picture, Topher Grace's depiction of David Duke is deceptively calm and restrained, feeling all the more threatening through his odd passiveness as he proclaims such obscene statements during both his phone calls with Ron and meeting speeches with his followers. Jasper Pääkkönen's role as Felix is intense and gripping, feeling even more ruthless and evil then the Grand Wizard himself. No role feels incorrectly played, as every actor brings their all to the picture, even when one I haven't mentioned plays an incomprehensible slurring drunk.
To end off this review, I'd like to state one of the only notable gripes I personally had with this film, which would probably have to be the way it handled modern day political allusions. While I'm certainly not adverse to these, as they can help a film connect to a modern day audience when illustrating events from a generation prior, I personally feel the way it was handled was far too tongue in cheek to not take me out of the film. It only happened three notable times throughout the film from what I caught, but each time felt as if the characters were a second away from turning to the camera and winking to the audience. I feel the Charlottesville footage at the end would have been sufficient enough to get the point across, and would have felt all the stronger and unexpected. I don't dislike these spoken allusions due to any potential political bias I have as I've seen in some other reviews on here, I just feel it wasn't handled the best.
In conclusion, BlacKkKlansman is a fantastically directed film that touches upon both a small domestic problem connected to a country-wide epidemic. It's powerful in both it's performances and it's messages. While it might not be entirely factually accurate, as some smaller elements were altered and changed for dramatic purposes, that doesn't excuse the expertise on display here in any way. Whether or not you agree or disagree with the message Spike Lee intends to get across to the audience, this film is undeniably quite masterful in it's execution despite very minor shortcomings.