Black or White

"This isn't about black and white, it's about right and wrong." Elliot (Costner) has just lost his wife and is grieving the only way he can, by drinking. Him and his wife have been raising their granddaughter since she was born, but when her other grandmother Rowena (Spencer) wants custody things get ugly. Elliot must now fight to keep his granddaughter while struggling to put his life back together. I was very much looking forward to watching this movie. I am a huge Kevin Costner fan and the subject hit close to home with me. I have to say that I was not disappointed in this at all, and in some ways it was actually better than I was hoping it would be. The movie is emotional and will make you cry, think and get mad, sometimes all at once. This is really a movie I could just keep going on and on about but that would do the movie a disservice. All I will say about this is that this is a definite must see movie that shows off some of the best acting work Costner has ever done. I really highly recommend this movie. I easily give this a high A-.

Writer director Mike Binder has created one of more sensitive films dealing with racial issues yet to be made. He has produced a story, directed it with such sensitivity with an outstanding cast that it absolutely serves not only every ward the film industry can give but also the recognition of everyone working for equal rights. The script is brilliant, rich in humor and pathos, and very, very intelligent.

The synopsis is too brief but offers the flavor of the film: 'BLACK OR WHITE is the story of a grandfather Elliot (Kevin Costner) who when his wife Carol (Jennifer Ehle) is killed in an automobile accident is suddenly left to care for his beloved granddaughter Eloise (Jillian Estell) – a child born to their daughter impregnated at age 17 by an African American junkie Reggie (André Holland): the daughter dies in childbirth and who died in childbirth. When her paternal grandmother Rowena (Octavia Spencer) seeks custody with the help of her brother Jeremiah (Anthony Mackie), the little girl is torn between two families who love her deeply. With the best intentions at heart, both families fight for what they feel is right and are soon forced to confront their true feelings about race, forgiveness, and understanding. Anchored by an all-star cast and based on real events, the movie is a look at two seemingly different worlds, in which nothing is as simple as black or white.'

In addition to the brilliant cast listed above there are cameos by some rather extraordinary actors – Paula Newsome (a gifted and rising star who plays the judge), Mpho Koaho who plays Eloise's tutor, and Joe Chrest – Elliot's attorney partner and best friend.

The film belongs to Costner, Spencer and Estell – and it could not be in stronger hands. Highly Recommended.

funny, brilliant, honest script and actors who pull off both harshness and sympathy. special mention to Anthony Mackie, though I know all the critics will give a lion's share of praise to Octavia Spencer and Kevin Costner. Mackie (aka the Falcon) delivers a powerful, resonating speech that simply must be heard. the judge was awesome too, absolutely spot on.

i saw this with my mother at the Toronto Intl Film Festival Elgin Winter Garden Theatre. the room was packed, and the crowd was mixed not just racially but generational too. this is truly a universal film despite its title.

i highly highly recommend this film to everyone.

I agree with Kevin Costner's opinion that it is a story that needed to be told. I commend him for believing in the story line so strongly that he chose to financially back the film I liked the movie, and the character portrayals.

I did not think it was in any way one sided, or racially charged. I enjoyed the realistic portrayal of diversity and found the young girl in question to be both adorable and believable in her role.

Supporting cast members did a great job, especially Kevin C. (but he's so cute, I just like to watch him) :). I really enjoyed it.

Thank you.

Black or white, nobody's perfect and the movie does a good job portraying that. Kevin Costner plays Elliot Andersen, the grandfather of a Eloise Andersen who he's been raising with his wife since the day she was born, but when he's wife passes suddenly, her Grandma Rowena does not feel Elliot is capable of taken care of the child alone, epically when the death of his wife brings out what she considers his drinking problem, so she gets her little brother, a lawyer to take legal action.

The movie seems to work as a vehicle to freely say the things that I think need to be said about race in this country. We live in a world were we can be so politically correct that it does nothing to actually solve the problem, but sweep it under the rug, and this movie is not about that.

But that's superficial for selling the movie to the audience. Black or White would work equally if everyone in the movie were black or white. It's a real story about a blended family were the child is unable to be cared for by the parents and the village has to step in.

This movie is about love, as sappy as it sounds. No one is perfect, but if you love someone enough, the right thing can be done for their benefit. this statement goes for anyone no matter if they are black or white.

Black or White does work for the court room scenes however. It was like watching two different countries use an political agenda to take control of an island they both wanted. To watch Grandpa Elliot do nothing but show love for his Eloise, after his wife's death and attempt to keep it all together for her, then watch him be attacked in the court for being too white to take care of a black child was painful.

Yeah, I would definitely recommend this movie to see, I'm glad Costner was able to get it made.