Susan Granger’s review of “The Best of Enemies” (STX)
Although this is based on its own true story, it’s all-too-reminiscent of “Green Book” (2018), exploring yet another instance of racial reconciliation.
In 1971 in Durham, North Carolina, the elementary school that served the segregated black community suffered irreparable damage. So the question arose: how do the displaced black students get educated?
Attending another nearby school would constitute integration, still a highly controversial concept even after the Supreme Court’s landmark Brown v. Board of Education ruling.
That’s what volatile, African-American community organizer Ann Atwater (Taraji P. Henson) wants. But she’s vehemently opposed by C.P. Ellis (Sam Rockwell), the Exalted Cyclops of the local klavern of the United Klans of America. He’s an avowed white supremacist, so bigoted that he refuses to serve black folk who make the mistake of trying to fill-up at his gas station.
Enter urbane, soft-spoken Bill Riddick (Babou Ceesay), who arrives from Raleigh to conduct a 10-day series of mandated meetings called a charrette, which will prepare citizens to vote on school integration. Miraculously, Riddick convinces Ann Atwater and C.P. Ellis to participate. His hope is that – after spending time together – they’ll learn to compromise.
Both remain steadfast in their beliefs but, when Ann helps C.P.’s institutionalized, Down Syndrome-afflicted son, the freeze between them thaws a bit – particularly when C.P.’s wife Mary (Anne Heche) visits Ann’s home to thank her for her kindness. “It’s what I do,” Ann replies.
Working from a 1996 book by Osha Gray Davidson, first-time writer/director Robin Bissell is a bit heavy-handed with his contrived, reformed racist melodrama, shortchanging Ann Atwater’s character development. Watching the archival footage during the credits is far more illuminating.
FYI: If you want to know more, find Diane Bloom’s short documentary, “An Unlikely Friendship” (2002).
On the Granger Movie Gauge of 1 to 10, “The Best of Enemies” is a sturdy, if over-simplified 6, delivering a maudlin, feel-good message.
