harrowing tale

Rating: 7/10 (25 December 2017)

It's 1967 Detroit. A police raid escalates into a full blown riot. National Guard is called in. The local police is dominantly a white force. A black singing group is forced to cancel their show and they spend the night at the Algiers Motel where they meet a couple of white girls. Policeman Philip Krauss (Will Poulter) shoots a man in the back who manages to escape. When the man is later found dead, murder charges are recommended against Krauss. Despite that, he's allowed to continue his patrol. Melvin Dismukes (John Boyega) is a grocery store security guard trying to keep the peace when a National Guard squad arrives. Sounds of gunfire from the Algiers put the group in heightened fear as everybody descend on the motel looking for a sniper.
This is a harrowing true tale directed by Kathryn Bigelow. John Boyega and his character is great. Baby-faced Will Poulter delivers a compelling villain. His partner is more the traditional greasy haired racist. The band is solid with a great lead performance by Algee Smith. I do have a problem with Carl who plays the clown very broadly. I have some issues with certain moments but the whole night is a harrowing tale well told. Dismukes being arrested is a great sequence. However, the trial can get a little repetitive. I prefer the ending to wrap up quicker. With such a tough film, it's hard to sit through the extended closing act.