Michelle Friedman

I felt on edge throughout the movie, its slow pace, grim, constant tension, cruelty in many ways. Thought the main characters were brilliant actors, but it was more like a highly sophisticated horror movie. I stopped it, later watched the ending. Riveting, yes.

It seemed unbearably long as the cycle of addiction returned ad- nauseam. It clearly showed the effect of drug addition on a family but I found myself looking at my watch, waiting...but it meandered on. I found the ending strong with father and son sitting together, however I missed more interaction at a deeper level with the father and his second wife. And it jumped a bit too much - past and present kind of jumbled.

It's a hard movie to watch. Took me three tries to stay the course. It may not be that accurate historically, but its message is strong. Racism hasn't left the world. It may never do so. The stupidity and cruelty of the small minded and mean-hearted is outweighed by the courage and love of those who dared be fully human. Don't miss it.