Brian Banks

Greetings again from the darkness. With the momentum of the #MeToo movement, and the attention being paid to harassment and discrimination in all walks of life, there really is no better time for a film that tells the story of Brian Banks. We are counseled to believe women as they recount their heart-breaking and life-altering stories, and it's Mr. Banks' story that reminds us what should matter in all situations ... truth and justice.

Brian was a 16 year old football star at Polytechnic High School in Long Beach, California when Wanetta Gibson (renamed Kennisha Rice in the movie) accused him of rape on school grounds. Banks was expelled from school, lost his athletic scholarship to USC, and poor legal advice led him to a plea bargain that resulted in his serving a 5 year prison sentence and another 5 years on restrictive probation. From day one, Brian Banks never wavered in the proclamation of his innocence.

In his situation, the only way for Brian to get some semblance of his life back was exoneration by the judge; and the only way that could happen would be new evidence or a recant of testimony by the accuser. Justin Brooks (played here by Greg Kinnear), the founder of the California Innocence Project, was touched by Brian's story, but just couldn't find a way to help. Surely the film offers some dramatization of actual events, but Brian Banks and his story are fascinating on many levels ... and it makes for a though-provoking and inspirational 99 minutes.

Banks was a convicted man whose own conviction of his innocence is proof of just how strong the human spirit can be. Director Tom Shadyac (PATCH ADAMS 1998, ACE VENTURA: PET DETECTIVE 1994) had his own life-altering event, and it's partly why this is his first narrative feature in more than a decade. It's likely the "second chance at life" hit home, and the script from Doug Atchison (AKEELA AND THE BEE, 2006) manages to hit the high and low points experienced by Banks and his single mom (played by Sherri Shepherd), who never lost faith.

Aldis Hodge ("City on a Hill") is outstanding as Brian Banks. He perfectly conveys the multitude of feelings of a man so confounded by a life gone wrong - yet so dedicated to staying on the right path despite all obstacles. In addition to the aforementioned Greg Kinnear and Sherri Shepherd, Melanie Liburd shines as Karina - Brian's new romantic interest (who shares her own story of past sexual abuse), and Xosha Roquemore performs admirably and memorably in the thankless role of Kennisha Rice. It should also be noted that Morgan Freeman has a cameo as a prison counselor who makes an impact on Brian.

The film begins with Brian explaining that he never really knew what "freedom" meant until it was taken from him, and then he re-gained it. That's a powerful statement, and it nicely corresponds to another lesson the film provides: "All you can control in life is how you respond to life." The film may be a bit glossy at times, but its message and its central character are inspirational ... and a source for further important discussions.

Wonderful to see a true story that matches the person it covers. I have heard Brian Banks speak before and Aldis Hodge captures his spirit and intellect in a beautiful way. He was a victim that does not ask to be seen as a victim. He stands up and fights for himself and others in the same position. Welcome back Tom Shadyac!

It's cool. I still had a few tears cause it's not just about a innocent man finding justice it's about a young black man who had the world turn against him and he kept his head up. That's important. It's also about a lawyer who seeks justice for those who cannot get it themselves, using the system to fight the system. Two really good reasons to shed a tear over this film. It's definitely inspiring but I did not fully feel the emotion I was expecting to get from it.

The writing was a little bland with its flat, formulaic-style story-telling, and the pacing too slow, that the normally decent 99 min runtime felt much longer. Directing was ok, but I expected more from Tom Shadyac. I guess a long hiatus does flaw some of the skills. The soundtrack wasn't anything special, and the score felt out of place and cheap in some scenes.

Kinnear, Liburd and Roquemore's performances were the only stand-outs imo, the rest of the cast was adequate, but I wasn't too impressed with Hodge's performance, unless of course his bland demeanor was portraying the real Brian Banks. During the ending credits, I will say how uncanny the resemblance was between most of the actors and the people they were portraying.

Nevertheless, it was a great biopic on a serious issue with some tear-jerking moments in the end. It certainly isn't a 9 or 10/10, so ignore those fake reviews the producers felt they needed. It is a solid 7-8/10 film, but gets only my 7 for annoying me with the obviously phony reviews. Would I see it again? Nope. Would I recommend it? Of course.

What a great movie showing his determination of not giving up!!! Very inspiring movie. All the actors portrait the characters perfectly.