6.6 | / 10 |
Users | 0.0 | |
Reviewer | 3.0 | |
Overall | 3.0 |
Civil Rights activist, Ann Atwater, faces off against C.P. Ellis, Exalted Cyclops of the Ku Klux Klan in 1971 Durham, North Carolina over the issue of school integration.
Starring: Taraji P. Henson, Sam Rockwell, Babou Ceesay, Anne Heche, Wes BentleyBiography | 100% |
History | 23% |
Drama | Insignificant |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 2.40:1
Original aspect ratio: 2.39:1
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1
English SDH, Spanish
Blu-ray Disc
Two-disc set (1 BD, 1 DVD)
Digital copy
DVD copy
Slipcover in original pressing
Region A (B, C untested)
Movie | 3.5 | |
Video | 4.0 | |
Audio | 4.0 | |
Extras | 2.0 | |
Overall | 3.0 |
Taraji P. Henson has lately been one of the busier actresses in Hollywood, working in a divergent cross-section of cinema genres, including Historical Dramas (Hidden Figures), Action (Proud Mary), and Comedy (What Men Want). She is also, of course, perhaps best known for her work on the super popular but recently embattled television smash hit Empire. It is the Historical Drama to which she returns for The Best of Enemies, Director Robin Bissell's true-story film in which she portrays a Civil Rights activist opposite a North Carolina Klan leader played by Moon's Sam Rockwell. The film is not black and white, so to speak, portraying its characters, and the clashes between citizens, in shades of gray. It's an impactful, at times imperfect, but perfectly honest and emotionally complex film that pulls audiences to both characters through similarities that manifest deeper in their souls despite their vast external differences in racial opinion.
The Best of Enemies befriends Blu-ray with a technically proficient 1080p transfer. The source digital photography is visually fine if not a little naturally flat. The movie could stand some film-sourced texture to accentuate its period timeframe. As it is, the image feels modern despite its decades-old setting, through most viewers probably won't mind. The picture quality proper is generally fine, revealing quality facial and clothing textures across a broad spectrum of characters and attire. The early 70s settings are nicely sharp and naturally defined, whether out in Durham streets or inside various assembly halls, classrooms, or cozy homes. Colors are handled well, though contrast could stand to be a little more intense. There's an airiness to the picture, an elevated palette that finds firm footing in bright period clothes and automobiles but some viewers might hope for something a little more firm. Skin tones can push slightly pasty but black levels appear solidly deep. Light noise appears in low light but isn't an issue in daylight or brighter interior lights. Objectively, the transfer is quite good; subjectively, the movie's visual makeup leaves a little to be desired.
The included DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 lossless soundtrack handles essentials well but the track lacks any real aural stimulus; the film's sound design is fairly pedestrian and straightforward. It's a bit dull on the macro level without much feel for absolute precision with dialogue its primary sonic propellant. The spoken word does flow with admirable clarity and prioritization from a natural front-center location. Music is finely integrated, remaining largely the charge of the front left and right speakers with only light surround support and just enough low end push to give it a modest feel for weight. Light atmosphere enjoys modest but scene-defining sonic success, including light din inside a barroom, heavier verbal chaos inside city council meetings, and natural ambience around town. Shotgun, rifle, and pistol blasts at a target practice session in chapter eight are dull and disappointing. It is otherwise a proficient track, just one without much sonic excitement with the movie focusing on narrative development rather than high yield audio.
This Blu-ray release of The Best of Enemies contains two brief featurettes, a lengthier piece that recounts the real history behind the film, and
the film's trailer. A DVD copy of the film and an iTunes digital copy
code are included with purchase. This release ships with a non-embossed slipcover.
The Best of Enemies has no real surprises on offer; it's based on historical events and even for audiences unfamiliar with the true stories of Ann Atwater and C.P. Ellis there's never any question where the movie will go. But it's spiritedly performed and while it's definitely a bit saccharine and sentimental around the edges, it rounds into fairly agreeable form. Universal's Blu-ray offers good video and audio presentations with a supplemental package highlighted by a quality 35 minute documentary about the real people the film highlights. Recommended.
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