Watch The Best of Enemies

In the movie, The Best of Enemies, a civil rights activist named Ann Atwater (played by Taraji P. Henson) and a Ku Klux Klan leader, C.P. Ellis (played by Sam Rockwell), are forced to work together in the 1970s to find a solution to school integration issues in Durham, North Carolina. The movie is based on a true story, and it showcases the unlikely friendship that developed between Atwater and Ellis, despite their initial prejudices and opposing beliefs. At the beginning of the movie, Atwater and Ellis are depicted as fierce adversaries, but as they spend more time together, they come to see each other as individuals, rather than just representatives of their respective groups.

Atwater is a strong-willed and determined activist, who is passionate about fighting for civil rights, particularly in the area of education. She is a single mother, who has faced her fair share of struggles, but she remains committed to her cause. Sam Rockwell's character, C.P. Ellis, is initially presented as a hateful and bigoted man, who believes that the races should be kept separate. However, as the movie progresses, we get to see a different side of him, as he struggles with his own personal demons and tries to reconcile his beliefs with his relationships with individual African Americans.

The Best of Enemies is a well-acted and well-directed movie, with a strong script that does justice to the complexity of the real-life events. Henson and Rockwell both give excellent performances, bringing nuance and depth to their characters, and creating a believable and compelling relationship. Babou Ceesay also deserves credit for his portrayal of Bill Riddick, the man who brings Atwater and Ellis together, and who is a key figure in the process of finding a solution to the school integration issue.

One of the strengths of the movie is the way it tackles a difficult subject matter with sensitivity, and without shying away from the harsh realities of the time period. Director Robin Bissell does an excellent job of recreating the atmosphere and tensions of 1970s Durham, and the movie is effective in conveying the fear and uncertainty that many African Americans felt during this period of time.

Another strength of the movie is the way it highlights the power of dialogue and communication in overcoming prejudice and bigotry. The central theme of the movie is the importance of putting aside our differences and working together to find common ground, and this message is delivered in a way that feels sincere and relevant to the current political climate.

In terms of weaknesses, there are some moments in the movie that feel a bit predictable, and the pacing is a bit slow at times. Some viewers may also feel that the movie is overly sentimental or takes too many liberties with the true story. However, these flaws are relatively minor, and do not detract from the overall impact of the movie.

In conclusion, The Best of Enemies is a powerful and thought-provoking movie that explores the complexities of race relations in the United States. It is a well-acted and well-directed film that does justice to the story of Ann Atwater and C.P. Ellis, and it is a valuable contribution to the ongoing conversation about race and bigotry in America. Recommended for anyone interested in civil rights history, or for those who simply appreciate a moving and intelligent drama.

The Best of Enemies is a 2019 drama with a runtime of 2 hours and 13 minutes. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.3 and a MetaScore of 49.