Such a frustrating disappointment

Perfect cast and a good story

Blistering performances.

There are moments in this movie where the great movie it could've been peek out... They're fleeting, here, but they're worth savoring, and they happen often enough to make it worth your while.

I consider BlacKkKlansman an especially important message for today's political climate, where radical beliefs have began to try to bend social norms in supoort of racial discrimination. As a film, the acting is strong throughout (namely Washington, Driver, Harriet), along with the cinematography and music. My major qualms came with the film's choppy pacing and character development, rushing in certain points and dragging to a halt in others.

Here's the thing: it is possible for me to say that this movie works, that this Spike Lee joint is his best in years, that it is both funny and powerful...but still think it could have been a little better. That's where I am. The movie's great as a broadly comedic satire with a political edge, and its many homages to film (from blaxploitation to D.W. Griffith) feel on point and at home here. More importantly, Lee brilliantly leverages a 1970s tale to shine a light on what's happening around us right now. So what could be better? Well, that light is REALLY bright. This is not a subtle political satire. At all. Typical Spike, basically. Also, the plot's pacing leaves something to be desired. And the characters sometimes seem a bit less than real. In fact, it is kind of funny that a movie inspired by a true story is most challenged by a lack of realism. But there you are. Still, Lee adapts this tale brilliantly. It is funny and exciting and insightful, especially as an examination of self identity. Just because it is flawed doesn't mean it isn't great.

As expected from a Spike Lee joint, BlacKkKlansman explores race relations in an shamelessly dark and off-beat manner. It succeeds in triggering a genuine reaction out of you; Disturbing, but often very funny, thanks to the resolute performances of Washington and Driver. There are some pacing issues due to some overlong, pretentious sequences, and I wasn't a fan of the ending, which leaps ahead in time to showcase fairly recent events of social unrest that have minimal connection to the story that was dramatized. I'm not saying these horrid events should go on ignored, but it was just an abrupt and preachy way to close what was a very well-crafted film. I don't think BlacKkKlansman is the masterpiece most critics claim it is. It's certainly a timely and important movie, but there were a few choices Lee made that soured part of the experience for me.

I would be surprised if this movie didn't snag a best movie nomination. The disparate ratings for this movie seem to be par for the course for movies with a strong political bent, in these supercharged times. But this is a well crafted movie with a strong but not well known cast. The adapted screenplay and cinematography are first rate, and some of the scenes are imposing. One in particular, members of the local kkk watching the 1915 Birth of a Nation film was stomach churning. There was a scene where a police sargeant challenged the assertion by the black officer that America would never elect a person like David Duke to the presidency. As current eventshave shown we are capable of that and more. This is a movie that should be talked about.