Burden

I saw this film at the 1918 Traverse City Film Festival. I am so glad it is finally being released, even if not very widely. "Burden" was moving and suspenseful - all the more because the events depicted are pretty close to the actual events. And it had people of color taking charge of the situation and displaying the courageous love of Christ - no rescue by a white liberal from the North.

Whitaker was remarkable, as was Garrett Hedlund as Burden, Andrea Riseborough as his partner and Tom Wilkinson (always wonderful) as the hate-filled leader of the local Klan. Hopefully it will be released on streaming so many people can see it as it appears it will have a limited release in theaters. It is also a shame it is rated "R" for language and some violence, as it is a film all young people would benefit from seeing.

Given the current Black Lives Matter struggles, this is a film that will answer the question why Black people are marching. Simply excellent human story in the backdrop of racial tensions.

First Hit: This is a compelling true story about racial change in a small South Carolina town.

The movie documents this story about how Mike Burden (Garrett Hedlund), who was part of the Ku Klux Clan, decides to change his beliefs and makes amends because of his love for a woman.

In this small town, the Klan is still alive and well. Tom Griffin (Tom Wilkinson) is the head honcho in more ways than one. He's on the verge of opening a Ku Klux Klan museum in an old movie theater, and the most impoverished people in town rent furniture and televisions from him. His repossession rate for his rentals is high. He intimidates the town with this control.

Burden works for Griffin and is his prime repossessor. Griffin treats Mike like his own son. On one repossession, he meets Judy (Andrea Riseborough), whose current boyfriend is behind in his payments, and Burden takes the television. Judy throws a temper tantrum and storms out to the car. She attempts to leave, but the car won't start and Buden, gets the car started for her. The looks they give each other show that there is going to be a connection.

Judy has a young boy whose best friend is a young black child. The relationship between the young boys is a reminder that when Burden was young, his best friend was Clarence Brooks (Usher Raymond). Clarence is black, and because he's having trouble making payments on the rented television, Mike has arrived to repossess the tv. Seeing Judy's boy playing with Clarence's son brings up memories of their past friendship, and conflicting feelings based on his current beliefs as a Klansman.

The town has a large black population that comes together at the church that is led by Reverend Kennedy (Forest Whitaker). Kennedy preaches love, forgiveness, and bringing people together non-violently. As you might expect, with the KKK museum opening in town, the black community is upset, and Kennedy leads the non-violent protest.

At one point, Judy puts it to Burden that he has to pick between her or his continuing to be part of the Klan. This choice begins Mike's transition from his being Klan oriented to seeing how it is hurting the community and people he cares about.

Hedlund was amazing as Burden. The way he talked, scattered his gaze when communicating with anyone, and how his walk embodied someone who was doing little to further himself was well done. As he found his voice, he showed subtle ways to make his character believable as he evolved. Whitaker was wonderous as the town's reverend whose goal was to create a peaceful difference. When he brings unexpected guests home, the way he tried to make it right with his family was perfectly portrayed. Riseborough was terrific as Judy. She captured a young woman who stood for her beliefs and had enough compassion to let Burden find his way to her. Wilkinson was excellent and utterly horrible as the town's Klan leader. He made me believe he was a Klansman. Andrew Heckler wrote and directed this true story. I loved seeing the real people at the end of the film as the credits rolled.

Overall: This was a wonderfully presented story about how racism tears communities apart and how love, forgiveness, and acceptance can put them back together.

This movie does an excellent job of telling multiple sides of this story, which is inspired by two men - a black church and community leader and a white KKK member - and how their connection to each other as well as relationships with others changes things. Difficult subject matter at times, but an important topic and strong acting performances by all. Gritty and real.

This is a good movie! The cast is excellent. Forest Whitaker I hope one day wins a lifetime achievement award from the Academy. His body of work demands it. Tess Harper is getting some roles lately and certainly making the most of them. Garrett Hedlund and Andrea Riseborough are excellent and convey well the emotions of those poor and of good character (Riseborough) and someone who never knew good character and struggles finding it (Hedlund). Really the whole cast from Whitakers wife and son to the Black Motel owner was excellent. This is another movie Americans need to see.