There are several things BlacKkKlansman does well; being subtle isn't one of them. Indeed, you get hit with so much ugly racism (is there any other kind?) that I decided Spike Lee wanted white audiences to get a taste of what black people go through consistently. You think this was hard to take? Imagine living it. A real-life blaxploitation story, undercover cop Ron Stallworth (John David Washington) manages to infiltrate the KKK (with the help of the always dependable Adam Driver), which leads to much absurdity. Racism IS absurd, and at no point does the film not think that, but because it's as real today as it was in the early 70s, it's not an absurdity you want to laugh at. Strong performances and atmosphere, and certainly a film for out times, but the lack of subtlety does give me pause. Not to say Lee's other films aren't rife with racially charged content - that's very much his thing - but shout outs to the future (our present) are way too on the nose, and the final moments are exploitative in a way that's effective, but still had me wondering if he was trying to shout to the people way in the back who still hadn't gotten it. I don't want to use the word propaganda, because I believe in the film's message, but it is certainly in service of that message more than anything else. And yet, there are real moments of self-awareness too, which is where the film's subtleties may be hidden.
What an intense movie this has become. When I was in America in 2017 I noticed how much racism there is in every day life in the USA. I can only hope that this movie can change the world for the better.
Besides the heavy topic, the movie also offers beautiful choreography, great music and enough fun and jokes.
You know that feeling you get when you watch political satire (Daily Show and all its offshoots, the works of Armando Iannucci, etc.) and you laugh really hard but then regret it because it still represents a painful reality? If you like that feeling, you will enjoy this movie.
If not, you will prolly call this film "heavy-handed," "too slow," or some other complaint that is honest and true but still misses the point that maybe it just wasn't for you.
To those of us that are long-time Spike fans: This is his best non-documentary film since Inside Man (for me it is better than Inside Man) and you will see all of the things that you love Spike for and many of the things that you criticize Spike for. It isn't God-tier Spike, but it is second-tier Spike and that is still good enough for me.
I have to say, considering the rave reviews this film was getting, I was a little disappointed. It is definitely a well-crafted film with some great performances, a true return to form for Spike Lee, but overall I thought the film was just good, not great.
A fantastic story told fantastically well. The ghost of griffith’s Birth of a nation still haunts lee, or more precisely, the American people; the mash-up of this 70’s story with recent racial tensions, that are shown at the end of the film, have never been more prescient.
7/10
Spike Lee joints r always. Always interesting. And always important.
Exciting, funny and good music (both soundtrack and score).
I saw it with Lidingö FilmStudio in spring 2019.
I liked it, but not as much as the critics do, which I think is mainly due to its political message. Lots of people complain about it being too heavy handed in it's message, which I was ok with, and actually enjoyed. The ending especially. However I felt that it was too long, the ending of the narrative section not very satisfying, and the music was hard to bear, even if it was period, it was distracting for me.
Something that really stuck out to me was how the wives of the Klansmen were depicted. Not only did it mirror "The Birth of a Nation", but it's proof that (some) straight women do not love themselves.
Not very subtle. It felt like a bit of a lecture from the pen of Spike Lee. The ending was particularly annoying and indulgent. Some of the acting and line-delivery was stiff because it didn't feel like the characters speaking, it felt like it was Spike Lee. Still entertaining, intriguing, and poignant. Pretty good, but not as "amazing" as all the white people will insist it is.
The most interesting part of the film is when Spike Lee cuts back and forth between the Klan meeting and their chant of "white power", and the civil rights rally and their chant of "black power", showing that both sides were equal in their goals.
That's the most subtle this movie got with its message.
Really good movie, when it wasn't hammering you in the head with its preaching.
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Comments 1 - 14 of 14
Siskoid
There are several things BlacKkKlansman does well; being subtle isn't one of them. Indeed, you get hit with so much ugly racism (is there any other kind?) that I decided Spike Lee wanted white audiences to get a taste of what black people go through consistently. You think this was hard to take? Imagine living it. A real-life blaxploitation story, undercover cop Ron Stallworth (John David Washington) manages to infiltrate the KKK (with the help of the always dependable Adam Driver), which leads to much absurdity. Racism IS absurd, and at no point does the film not think that, but because it's as real today as it was in the early 70s, it's not an absurdity you want to laugh at. Strong performances and atmosphere, and certainly a film for out times, but the lack of subtlety does give me pause. Not to say Lee's other films aren't rife with racially charged content - that's very much his thing - but shout outs to the future (our present) are way too on the nose, and the final moments are exploitative in a way that's effective, but still had me wondering if he was trying to shout to the people way in the back who still hadn't gotten it. I don't want to use the word propaganda, because I believe in the film's message, but it is certainly in service of that message more than anything else. And yet, there are real moments of self-awareness too, which is where the film's subtleties may be hidden.Cinemoos
What an intense movie this has become. When I was in America in 2017 I noticed how much racism there is in every day life in the USA. I can only hope that this movie can change the world for the better.Besides the heavy topic, the movie also offers beautiful choreography, great music and enough fun and jokes.
Duval Spit
You know that feeling you get when you watch political satire (Daily Show and all its offshoots, the works of Armando Iannucci, etc.) and you laugh really hard but then regret it because it still represents a painful reality? If you like that feeling, you will enjoy this movie.If not, you will prolly call this film "heavy-handed," "too slow," or some other complaint that is honest and true but still misses the point that maybe it just wasn't for you.
To those of us that are long-time Spike fans: This is his best non-documentary film since Inside Man (for me it is better than Inside Man) and you will see all of the things that you love Spike for and many of the things that you criticize Spike for. It isn't God-tier Spike, but it is second-tier Spike and that is still good enough for me.
HunterAdams
No, it's not subtle. But how can you be subtle when the President is a racist, peckerwood, redneck, inch worm, needle-dick motherfucker?Michael12
I have to say, considering the rave reviews this film was getting, I was a little disappointed. It is definitely a well-crafted film with some great performances, a true return to form for Spike Lee, but overall I thought the film was just good, not great.karuss
A fantastic story told fantastically well. The ghost of griffith’s Birth of a nation still haunts lee, or more precisely, the American people; the mash-up of this 70’s story with recent racial tensions, that are shown at the end of the film, have never been more prescient.airi86ja
Great film+great storyline+great actors+superb soundtrack! enjoyed it so muchEmiam
7/10Spike Lee joints r always. Always interesting. And always important.
Exciting, funny and good music (both soundtrack and score).
I saw it with Lidingö FilmStudio in spring 2019.
Earring72
Hard hitting, funny, ugly, well made dramajutuomin
This is the movie that made me understand one joke more from Police Academy 5 and for some reason I like this movie much more because of it.canaan
I liked it, but not as much as the critics do, which I think is mainly due to its political message. Lots of people complain about it being too heavy handed in it's message, which I was ok with, and actually enjoyed. The ending especially. However I felt that it was too long, the ending of the narrative section not very satisfying, and the music was hard to bear, even if it was period, it was distracting for me.satisfythecrave
Something that really stuck out to me was how the wives of the Klansmen were depicted. Not only did it mirror "The Birth of a Nation", but it's proof that (some) straight women do not love themselves.armyofshadows
Not very subtle. It felt like a bit of a lecture from the pen of Spike Lee. The ending was particularly annoying and indulgent. Some of the acting and line-delivery was stiff because it didn't feel like the characters speaking, it felt like it was Spike Lee. Still entertaining, intriguing, and poignant. Pretty good, but not as "amazing" as all the white people will insist it is.AlbertSnow
The most interesting part of the film is when Spike Lee cuts back and forth between the Klan meeting and their chant of "white power", and the civil rights rally and their chant of "black power", showing that both sides were equal in their goals.That's the most subtle this movie got with its message.
Really good movie, when it wasn't hammering you in the head with its preaching.