We’re trying to stay on top of all the possible Oscar nominations, this week guest writer Donzell weighs in on The Hate U Give.
The Hate U Give is a drama starring Amandla Stenberg. It tells the story of Starr Carter, a young lady that witnesses the tragic death of her friend Khalil due to a police shooting. Starr and Khalil are Black and the officer is White. The consequences of this act send Starr down a path that forces her to confront the complexities of her entire life. I had a good time watching this film. A strong cast, strong acting and directing, emotionally driven plot, and deep morals support this exceptional film.
Amandla Stenberg delivers a very strong performance and the entire cast did strong jobs, most notably Russel Hornsby as Starr’s father Maverick. The film really depends on these two characters and both deliver.
This movie delivers well beyond its surface level conflict of Black people vs the police. This film extends into what it means to be Black, and extends into family, community, and the complexities facing a Black individual in America.
Starr goes to a private school where she drops any hint of “ghetto,” and refers to herself as Starr 2.0. However, at a party in her own community she hardly feels accepted there either. Starr’s uncle is a cop, and one of the most powerful moments in the movie is when she has an emotional conversation with him. In addition, the primary villain of this movie is not the police, but an influential member of Starr’s community.
The film also depicts how her family is supportive and touches how all of us need our families for support and guidance. Some may call a film like this melodramatic, which the third act may come across that way. I feel this criticism isn’t enough to dampen the film or its message.
I recommend this movie without hesitation. I advise not looking at this as a Black vs White film, but a story of how the complexities of life affect individuals. Starr is a great protagonist and her father is a great supporting character. This is a good film beyond its premise, and my only regret is taking this long to see it.
Thank you all once again for watching. Please like, follow, and comment to share your thoughts with me.
Donzell reviews movies, comics, and other topics he likes for your entertainment, find more on instagram.