The Best of Enemies

STXfilms | Release Date: April 5, 2019

6.4	USER SCORE Generally favorable reviews based on 35 Ratings

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GreatMartinApr 5, 2019

Last year we had the best picture Oscar winner "Green Book" which was a 'feel good' movie about the relationship between a white man and a black man while we also had the intense, involving "BlackKlansman" a best screenplay Oscar winner aboutLast year we had the best picture Oscar winner "Green Book" which was a 'feel good' movie about the relationship between a white man and a black man while we also had the intense, involving "BlackKlansman" a best screenplay Oscar winner about a KKK white man and a black policeman who must be played by a white policeman when it comes to a meeting at the Klan which was emotionally involving.

Now we have "The Best of Enemies", based on a true story, about the leader of a KKK group in Durham, N.C. and an angry single black mother who works for an advocacy group and is not afraid to stand up to anyone of any color.

What should have been an emotionally involving and feel good story fails on both counts in spite of some excellent performances. My dictionary defines cliche as 1) made stale and uninteresting by repeated use and 2) a trite stereotype expression and both define "The Best of Enemies."

I, and by listening to comments by other audience members, learned a new word 'charrette' which is a French word used in problem serving and was what motivated Ann **** (Taraji P. Henson) and C.P. Ellis (Sam Rockwell) to each head a panel of their own race and decide whether schools should be desegregated among two other resolutions.

Without getting into spoilers, though I did not nor did I ever hear of this particular story, I knew where the story was going and was more interested in how the journey to the ending would go and it was more 'Hollywood' than reality.

Rockwell was excellent as the KKK leader married to Anne Heche, who I did not recognize, with 3 children, 1 an autistic child in a hospital, as we follow the arc of his character and how he changes.

I love Henson as Cookie in her television series "Empire" but in the last half a dozen movies I have seen her in, including this one, she just doesn't come across to me in movies. I will add that Allen thought she did a very good job as Ann.

Others in the cast including Babou Ceesay and Bruce McGill were spot on in their performances while Wes Bentley, who I have been a fan of since 1999 when he was in "American Beauty" seems to have gotten back on track after a problem with addiction.

Though I found "The Best of Enemies" disappointing, moving too slowly and not avoiding the 'Hollywood' touches I did learn a new word--charrette--and a part of history that was new to me and has made me interested in learning the whole story.

I, also, found the ending credits interesting showing the real people in the story!… Expand

2 of 3 users found this helpful21

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Brent_MarchantApr 7, 2019

Despite a general tendency toward following formula and overstaying its welcome, this tale about an unlikely alliance that arises from worlds apart partners shares messages that we can't seem to get enough of these days. Fine performances byDespite a general tendency toward following formula and overstaying its welcome, this tale about an unlikely alliance that arises from worlds apart partners shares messages that we can't seem to get enough of these days. Fine performances by Taraji P. Henson and Sam Rockwell, coupled with a refreshingly balanced script, give life to a story that starts out small and swells to larger issues that we all benefit from learning about. Pay no heed to the smug, cynical critics who have unfairly trashed this one just to show how snide their writing can be.… Expand

1 of 3 users found this helpful12

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TVJerryApr 10, 2019

Durham, NC, 1971: The overt racism that permeates the town comes to a vote, literally, when a charette is established to determine whether to integrate the schools. On one side: the spunky activist (Taraji P. Henson at her frumpiest). On theDurham, NC, 1971: The overt racism that permeates the town comes to a vote, literally, when a charette is established to determine whether to integrate the schools. On one side: the spunky activist (Taraji P. Henson at her frumpiest). On the other: the leader of the local KKK chapter (Sam Rockwell in redneck mode). The series of events unfolds with a genteel style that does little to stoke the flames of outrage. Sure, there are plenty of racist moments, but the uninspired direction, lackadaisical performances and extended length keep this true story of an unlikely friendship from being more than an interesting history lesson.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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HealingToolboxApr 23, 2019

If you liked Green Book (2018) and Selma (2014) here's another story of character and hope with AAA casting, script and production values. I'll address what critics disliked:

- "Not enuf backstory on the blacks." The script is notIf you liked Green Book (2018) and Selma (2014) here's another story of character and hope with AAA casting, script and production values. I'll address what critics disliked:

- "Not enuf backstory on the blacks." The script is not primarily about blacks or black lives. It's about the character arc of Klansman who become an AFL-CIO organizer after this experience. One memorable, searing speech about the lives of black children outside of school is one of few glimpses here. The direction of detail and nuance is primarily how Black Lives Matter is SHOWN in this film not TOLD. I lived thru this period. It's spot on. - "The script is thin." Then perhaps AAA filmmaking does not hold your attention much. It's a movie about small things having out-size consequences, the small things which make us human to each other. Were you expecting super heroes?

- "The real story was changed." This was pretty obvious in the vote scene climax. However the re-arranging of actual events supports the main arc of the main character and supports the dramatic payoff of this scene and the scene to follow. That's what writers can do.

See it if you have an interest in better, improved human relations anywhere.… Expand

0 of 3 users found this helpful03

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JLuis_001May 16, 2020

Typical true story drama that has good intentions but deals with an ordinary and common execution.