Cert 12A
133 mins
BBFC advice: Contains moderate violence, drug and sex references, infrequent strong language
The tears flowed and I could understand why.
It was as if the teenage girls either side of Mrs W and me in Nottingham's Showcase Cinema were grief-stricken such was the power of The Hate U Give.
The pre-publicity for George Tillman Jr's film had eluded both of us so we didn't know what to expect when we were told only tickets in the front row remained.
And, for the first 20 minutes or so, it appeared that a fairly light story of a black girl (Amandla Stenberg) in posh white school was emerging along with the pressures on her various relationships.
However, a clue to the trouble ahead lays in her former gang member father's strict instructions should she and her brothers be confronted by the police.
The Hate U Give then turns abruptly into a battle for civil rights which the black community still appear to be denied.
Tillman's skill is telling the story through the eyes of a reluctant dissenter. Stenberg's character, Starr, is a quiet conformist, particularly when at her overwhelmingly white school.
Even at home, confrontation doesn't come as naturally to her as does her dad (Russel Hornsby) or even her brother (Lamar Johnson) who find themselves on the wrong side of the local gang leader (Anthony Mackie) as well as the police.
It is unusual to see Mackie as a bullying villain but he handles the role with conviction.
Indeed, he is key to why The Hate U Give is so effective. It could have been a movie which only pursued the line of police oppression of black Americans.
However, while the main plank is injustice, there is also a critical exploration of the damage which gang culture wreaks.
In addition, there isn't just a conventional criticism of white people with complexity added by Starr's boyfriend (K.J.Apa) whose love faces almost insurmountable obstacles.
Mrs W and I benefited hugely from a lack of anticipation before this movie and, because of its message, the drawing of emotion and a high-quality central performance, it has to be counted as of the best films of the year.
Unfortunately, it will never be seen by those who really matter - namely, America's policy-makers.
Reasons to watch: Gripping and thought-provoking
Reasons to avoid: Some might think it too simplistic
Laughs: Two
Jumps: One
Vomit: None
Nudity: None
Overall rating: 9/10
Director quote - George Tillman jr: "People are tired of seeing stereotypes and cliches. We all are human beings and all the stuff that happens. There’s a hope factor that’s still underneath the family dynamic. And that’s what happens with us as African Americans, no matter how tough things get, we just keep pushing."
The big question - Will America ever be free of racism?
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