The idea of this
movie—a Black man infiltrating the KKK—didn’t sit well with me at first. I
dragged my feet before going to see it, but after watching, I have to say it
was enjoyable. Now, to see this movie, if you happen to be black like me, you
will need to suspend the idea of this actually being possible.
For me, this
stands out as Spike Lee’s best work. The movie stars John David Washington and
Adam Driver, both of whom delivered performances that deserve recognition. The
film ends with footage from the 2017 Unite the Right rally in Charlottesville,
Virginia. We also see former KKK leader David Duke giving a speech to white
supremacists and counter-protesters, followed by the car attack that led to the
loss of life. The film concludes with a memorial to Heather Heyer, the victim
of the attack.
The movie
doesn’t hold back, presenting hate and racism in a raw and unflinching way.
The plot is set
in the 1970s. Ron Stallworth (John David Washington), a local African-American,
joins the Colorado Springs police force. Eager to be part of something
significant, he requests a transfer to the intelligence unit.
While there, he
sees a newspaper advertisement inviting people to join the Ku Klux Klan. He
calls the number and, posing as a racist, uses the “N” word and other racial
slurs to make his pre-interview go well. The problem arises when he’s asked to
attend an in-person interview. How can a Black man show up for a KKK meeting?
He strikes a
deal with his commanding officer: his colleague, Flip Zimmerman (Adam Driver),
will be the face of Ron Stallworth, while Ron remains the voice. They pull it
off, and the fun—and comedy—of the movie comes from the events that unfold as
both men play the role of Ron Stallworth.
Their
investigation takes them deep into the KKK, and they even get to meet David
Duke himself.
The movie does a
fine job with its writing, keeping you glued to the screen throughout. That
said, the scenes focusing on Ron’s personal life and his romantic interest felt
like the dull moments of the film.
In the end, this
movie is worth the watch. At over 120 minutes, it’s a bit long, but you’ll make
it through.
It’s been both a
critical and commercial success for Spike Lee, and I hope his next movie is
just as good.
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