Shocking, Powerful, Disturbing and Upsetting

Rating: 9/10 (26 February 2008)

Shocking, powerful, disturbing, upsetting and downright aggravating. All these words describe Alan Parker's film of the terrible injustice that was inflicted upon the Negro population in Mississippi, 1964. Though this was hardly an isolated incident. The fact is, white people have been oppressing minorities for as long as man can remember, and not just the African Americans who were captured and enslaved back in the 18th and 19th centuries. White man has marched through innumerable countries, taking over completely, and then either driving out or killing off the indigenous people. India, Australia, South Africa and North America are just a few examples.
I do not believe the decent people of today ought to apologise for the actions of their forefathers, as much as they should be determined that equality rules this small planet we all share. Everyone hails from the same supreme Creator, who chose for his own reasons to colour our skins differently, and separate us into cultures. That does not mean we have the right to harm or kill those whom we fear, envy or otherwise do not understand. Jesus asks us to love one another as He love us. What we do to one another must make Him weep. And remember, Jesus was born an olive-skinned Jew, not a white Anglo-Saxon.
Parker has fashioned a film which ruthlessly drives home the point that even if racism and bigotry is taught, or a learned behaviour, that it in no way can or should be tolerated nor condoned. It is as ugly as sin, and perhaps one of the most malignant and self-destructive illnesses of humankind, which threatens to eat away the very fabric of humanity even now, on the eve of the 21st century.
Gene Hackman gives one of his best performances (possibly ever), as FBI agent Rupert Anderson, a tough old Mississippi boy who recognises racism for what it is, a disease. He'll stop at nothing, including making the rules up as he goes, to halt the injustice and bring the culprits in. Alan Ward is his by the book partner (played with true conviction by the ever underrated Willem Dafoe), a young ex-Justice Department hot shot whose aggressive passion is overshadowed only by his strong regard for Bureau procedure. These two leads are nothing less than outstanding. Entire support carries great weight too, with Frances McDormand, Brad Dourif, R. Lee Ermey and Gailard Sartain all leaving marked impressions. Trevor Jones provides a most effective music score, Gerald Hambling some expert editing, while the costume design team and art crew (lead by Philip Harrison and Geoffrey Kirkland) reproduce this turbulent time very convincingly.
Chris Gerolmo's script (the historical accuracy of which is hotly disputed) does not paint a picture of purely good versus evil. There are no clear black and white boundaries depicted here, no innocents, just much grey area. But it's perfectly clear who the defenceless victims are. Maybe Gerolmo wrote this in the hope of educating us. Perhaps he hopes, as I do, that racism will one day be merely an ugly stain in history. Yet as of today, 1995, this is not so.
Sunday, October 8, 1995 - Video
Powerful, powerful drama of the atrocity of racial abuse in America's deep south. Scripter Chris Gerolmo pulls no punches in his controversial tale and director Alan Parker ("Midnight Express") has a hard hitting style that will rivet you.
Trevor Jones' music is poundingly effective and editor Gerald Hambling is precise and efficient. Best thing about this great film is the "tour de force" performances from Gene Hackman and Willem Dafoe, each bringing to life two very different federal agents, both of whom are determined to put away the men responsible for murdering an African-American boy and two Jewish social workers in Mississippi.
This team of experts have created a must see, compelling picture which will leave an indelible impression.
Tuesday, January 14, 1997 - Video