Meanwhile, Henson's outspoken Ann is reduced to being the catalyst for C.P.'s "I don't hate all black people" epiphany. Instead of feeling like a movie about both of these people, the movie concentrates on making sure audiences somehow feel sympathetic with the card-carrying KKK president. But in telling the story of The Best of Enemies, the filmmakers made the head-scratching decision to focus more on developing Klansman Ellis' humanity than to treat both characters as equals - which is hard to justify. will make audiences wish they could hear more from the pair's families about not only the 10 days that led to their friendship but also the years that followed. There's no doubt that the "true story" nature of Atwater and Ellis' friendship is compelling, and the few minutes at the very end featuring footage of the late Ann and C.P. This unlikely friendship story would have been better off as a documentary. ![]() I commend any effort to provide positive historical and current stories of African Americans, but I just couldn't feel this one. She did not appear to have a "bra problem." I felt that Taraji's appearance as Ann Atwater was somewhat of a caricature of black women. I only say that to note that she just didn't seem to fit in in with that community at that time, nor did I see her working with other women, which is what community activists do. I went to college in Pennsylvania and when I came home with an Afro in 1969, my mother had a fit (though about 5 years later, she was sporting a beautiful Afro). To be sure, Afros began to be worn in the late 60's but it took a while for them to travel south, particularly for older women. I don't believe I saw any other woman in the movie with an Afro. I just couldn't relate to or feel this character who should have been about my Mother's age. ![]() I know many strong and determined women who pushed for racial equality. ![]() I believe that the film is basically accurate but my problem is the portrayal of Ann Atwater. I am an African American woman who grew up in South Carolina during that time period. The "N" word is used dozens of times, there's some drinking - as well as frequent cigar and cigarette smoking - and a man makes the KKK sound like a positive, welcoming (to white men) brotherhood. Violent scenes include Klansmen shooting up a woman's house, threatening and intimidating people, and hurting a woman in a way that suggests sexual assault (the man's hands aren't visible). ![]() But there are also unsettling themes and takeaways - e.g., suggesting that the burden of combating racism is on those who are the victims, instead of on the perpetrators. Most of the movie's messages are educational (institutional racism and segregation caused severe harm to America's black citizens) and positive (individual friendship can lead to breaking down prejudice). Henson is given top billing as Ann Atwater, her character isn't as deeply explored as that of KKK chapter president C.P. Parents need to know that The Best of Enemies is a drama based on the true story of the unlikely early 1970s friendship between a racist Klansman and a black civil rights activist.
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