Provocative, with great performances. And Tony Danza!

Rating: 7/10 (17 July 2006)

» This film was not realistic. There were too many coincidences, and the characters talked about racial issues more often and more explicitly than is plausible (in my experience).
» For part of the film, this lack of realism disturbed me. But eventually I decided that the filmmakers had done this on purpose, and then I was able to focus on the aspects of the film that I liked. First, every actor in the movie delivered an excellent performance. Second, I enjoyed seeing so many different characters presented with multiple dimensions. Third, I liked how the movie subtly developed themes about gender and class even as it explicitly -- and obsessively -- hammered on racial matters. And finally, I appreciated the way the movie avoided any clear message, instead leaving it to the viewer to sort out the issues that the characters deal with during the film.
» I did consider some parts of the film weak. In particular, there seemed to be moments when a character's emotions would change for no apparent reason. (I blame the script for this, not the actors.) But overall, I thought this film was worth watching.
»» suggested double feature: In the Heat of the Night (1967)