Mississippi Burning
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Movie Reviews of Mississippi Burning
Movie Review: A poignant film highlighting our rights to justice...
Summary: 5 Stars
My best friend and I had a discussion about Gene Hackman the other day, since both of us are huge fans. We were recounting some of our favorite Hackman performances (`Unforgiven', `Hoosiers') and I was suggesting to him Hackman films he needed to see (`The Royal Tenenbaums') and he was suggesting ones I needed to see (`Crimson Tide') and then we came to the subject of `Mississippi Burning' and realized that neither of us had seen it. So, I told him I was coming over and on my way I rented this film and we had a few beers and watched one of the best Hackman films either of us had ever seen.
Not just one of his best movies; one of his best performances!
`Mississippi Burning' (inspired by a true story) tells the tragic tale three young rights activists who were murdered in a small Mississippi town. Two white boys and one black, the local police department sweeps it under the rug, but when word that the boys are missing reaches the FBI two agents are sent to the town to investigate. Rupert Anderson is an ex-Mississippi sheriff himself and so he has a better idea of how to deal with the locals than his partner, the young and `by-the-book' agent Alan Ward. Alan is asking all the wrong questions at the wrong time to the wrong people and is stirring up more problems than he should; but Rupert is slinking around in the background, building trust with valuable witnesses who may in the end be able to help him tie up the loose ends.
The film is brilliantly crafted, building tension in all the right places and balancing out the violence with a brutal message of injustice and tolerance. There are so many technical aspects of this film that really grabbed me, like the use of gospel hymns during some of the more savage scenes; creating a mood, an air of melancholy as apposed to brutality. It is small touches like that that bring the film to another level, eliciting in the audience the desired emotional response. Sure, we are angered by what it taking place, but our anger is more repressed and tempered. We wind up more saddened and disappointed which, in my opinion, carries the weight of the film farther than just steeping our reaction in pure hatred.
Like Alan Ward brings to light towards the films closing; we are all guilty if we allow atrocities like this to happen; if we say nothing when we know we have the obligation to stand up for what we know is right.
The film is strengthened also by the marvelous performances that litter the screen, most notably by the two Oscar nominees; Gene Hackman and Frances McDormand. Frances is not on the screen for a very long time, but her control over her character is dominant. You can really feel her emotional connection to Mrs. Pell, her struggle to find steady ground as she tries to decide where her loyalties need to be staked. Gene Hackman is seriously at the top of his game here, delivering what may be his finest performance ever. I love the transformation his character makes, and this is seen in one particular scene where he joins a few suspects for a beer.
"Thanks for the beer."
The rest of the cast is equally impressive, from Willem Dafoe's stubborn take on Ward to Brad Dourif's devilishly squirmy Clinton Pell. R. Lee Ermey is magnificent as the corrupt Mayor and supporting players like Sartain, Rooker and especially Tobolowsky clutter the film with brilliance.
The film is an acting goldmine.
In the end I highly recommend this brilliant film. There is such a dark yet poignant message here that to me is universal. This is one of those films that, while broaching one particular subject, really opens itself up to a universally important message. The film is not merely a film about racism but a film about injustice and the obligation each living breathing human has to right wrongs, no matter how inconvenient that may be. This film is one that we do well to take to heart.
Movie Review: One of the greatest movies of all time
Summary: 5 Stars
I remember watching this movie in a Florida movie theater when it first came out (I was stationed at Orlando Naval Base back then). Watching the movie was an overwhelming emotional experience, and many scenes shook me to the core with their raw emotional power. Mississippi Burning is THE definitive movie about the atmosphere of racism and violence that pervaded the Civil Rights era, with its dead on accurate portrayal and recreation of a small 60's Southern town. We get to intimately know the kinds of places where 3 young men, or any individuals interested in the plight of the oppressed, might disappear or get killed in the 60's South. We understand what it was like to be Black and live in such a divided society. Most important, we know that evil racism has no logical explanation save for the fact that it is taught and learned from one generation to the next.This movie has been unfairly and recklessly attacked by overeager movie critics and experts on social affairs, all of whom feel guilty about praising such an important and powerful piece of film making (they don't DARE want to be called racist for praising the film!).
The most common criticism is that this movie doesn't have any strong Black characters. This is absolutely false. There are several strong Black characters in this movie. There is a scene where a Black preacher gives a strong condemnation about the killings of the young men. There are several scenes with a brave young Black child, deeply religious, who somehow manages to find courage amongst his tears and fright (in one exceptional scene, he doesn't run away during a Klan disruption of a church gathering, instead, he kneels and prays). And in the most controversial and powerful scene in the entire movie, a strong Black father (father of the previously mentioned young boy), fed up with the racists, goes out into the night with a shotgun shouting that he will not take this abuse anymore.
The other major criticism is that the movie focuses on White characters. This is not valid. I do certainly agree that many Hollywood movies tend to center the action around White actors, even if the story is about minorities (i.e., Come See the Paradise, Windtalkers, etc. etc.) However, this is one case where it was absolutely necessary for the story to be seen through the eyes of two White FBI agents. The two White agents (Gene Hackman in one of the greatest movie performances of all time) represent the opposite spectrum of the evil Southern racists. Just as the Southerners see the world in their segregated view, the two FBI agents see the world in their enlightened and open view, and in fact they stand for many White people that not only gave their lives for the cause of Civil Rights, but made their voices heard and actions seen so that segregation would one day end. The Civil Rights era is as much a story about White Americans as it is Black Americans, so I applaud the filmmakers for being courageous about this.
I recently watched the DVD version and it affected me as much as when I first saw it, and I make it a point to see several times a year. There are scenes that are so heartbreaking they will leave you in tears, and moments of beauty and power so self assured that you know you are watching a masterpiece that will one day stand the test of time. This movie is required viewing for all of the youth in America today, many of whom are clueless as to the Civil Rights period (and others simply do not care).
Movie Review: HAUNTING STORY OF AMERICA'S UGLY PAST
Summary: 5 Stars
Based loosely on actual events, Mississippi tells the story of three civil rights workers, one black and two white who disappear in Jessup County, Mississippi. The FBI sends in agents to investigate the disappearances, headed by Willem Dafoe as the young, by-the-book and a bit naive Agent Boyd. He is joined by Gene Hackman as Agent Anderson. Anderson himself was a former, small-town Mississippi sheriff and so has a greater understanding of the town and its people.
Anderson and Boyd bump heads at nearly every turn of their investigation. Boyd tries unsuccessfully to question the town's black residents but they are all unwilling to talk and with good reason...They are regularly beaten, and have their homes torched by the resident KKK members and include members of the local Law Enforcement including Deputy Pell (Brad Dourif) and Sheriff Stuckey, and other townfold including local businessmen. R. Lee Ermey, in one of his earliest roles plays Mayor Tilman who is incensed at the investigation of his law enforecement officers. Eventually, when Boyd fails to make any progress in the investigation, he allows Anderson to bring in his own people and use his own, less than legal methods to question the suspects which are not limited to threats and physical abuse.
Mississippi Burning is a powerful tale of a sad time in America and this movie shows the true ugly underbelly of the deep south in the early 1960's. But it would have been nice if all the residents were not treated as stupid redneck racists. About the only white resident who seems to have any sympathy for the black people is Deputy Pell's wife played magnificently by Frances McDormad. She gives a wonderful performance as a southern wife trapped in a situation that she cannot escape from.
Also, it would have been nice to see some of the black actors given a role with a little more punch. They all play submissive, frightened roles and one even states that perhaps if they leave the (white folk) alone they will leave them alone. Virtually the only strong performance from a black actor comes from the Darius McCrary (Who would later play in the sitcom "Family Matters). Only this boy seems to have the courage to speak out and to the FBI.
All that aside, Hackman and Dafoe really shine in their roles and playoff each other well. Director Alan Parker builds the tention throughout and slowly starts the cracks that will eventually bring down those responsible for killing the three young men. A Wonderful film that is still powerful after many viewings.
Movie Review: "What is wrong with these people"
Summary: 5 Stars
I am amazed at this average rating for this movie(4 stars?). There are movies that stink to high heaven getting 4 and 1/2 stars and even five. Incredible. Mississippi Burning is a very hard film to look at but a very truthful and gritty look at racism in southern Mississippi during the Civil Rights era.
The story details FBI agents Rupert Anderson(Gene Hackman)and Alan Ward(Willem Dafoe) search for the killers an African-American male and two Jewish males. Their search takes them to the heart of Mississippi where the racism is deep-seated and the police are inflexible to a fault. They later realize how deep the police involvement in the killings were.
No other movie about race relations has moved me like Mississippi Burning has. American History X is phenomenal but it didnt make me as angry as this movie did. I wish I had the power to stop these psychos from doing what they did. Mississippi Burning was the movie that made me question my faith in organized religion. I couldn't fathom that I was believing in the same belief system that these lunatics were believing in. I dumped belief in organized religions after extensive research at the age of 20 but this movie sparked my curiosity. Gene Hackman is wonderful as Agent Rupert. He steals every scene he is in. Willem Dafoe is great as his partner Alan Ward. Agent Anderson(Hackman) handles things in an unconventional manner while Agent Ward(Dafoe) is by the book. This is where Dafoe showed his true potential before he started screwing up his career by appearing in sewage like Speed 2, Boondock Saints, Body Of Evidence and XXX: State Of The Union. Also great in this movie is Brad Dourif as the racist Deputy Clinton Pell and R. Lee Ermey as the racist mayor. I also like how they showed the views of the average ignorant Mississippian and how the cops either participated in the killing and terrorizing of Blacks in Mississippi or sat back and watched it happen.
Conclusion: Mississippi Burning is the best movie of 1989 hands down and is definitely required viewing. But be forewarned that this is not an easy movie to watch. But if you can stomach the violence you have a gem on your hands. I find it sad that the director Alan Parker didnt have many movies after this one.
Movie Review: A great movie. My favorite film for use of character actors.
Summary: 5 Stars
This is a powerful movie. Movies of this genre are bound to receive various political perspectives. But that doesn't lessen the impact of this movie. In many ways you feel Mississippi during the era involved. Not just in the politics and bigotry, but in the countryside presented itself. There are some subtle allusions that assist in creating a feel for the town this movie takes place in. Gene Hackman and William DaFoe are fabulous in their lead roles, as is Frances McDormand. But to me, the real reason to watch this movie is the incomparable collection of character actors, my favorite movie in that category. it's a treasure trove. You can debate the angle of many of the most popular civil rights movies, their message, be it explicit or implied. But the performances by this ensemble cast and the backdrop of Mississippi make this one of the most watchable movies of the genre. From R. Lee Ermey (Gunnery Sgt. in "Full Metal Jacket") and Stephen Tobolowski (Needle Nose Ned in "Groundhog Day") - 2 of the most renowned character actors playing the mayor and Clayton Townley, head of the Klan, respectively- to Brad Dourif, Michael Rooker, Gailard Sartain, Pruitt Taylor Vince- all playing loathsome bigots. Tobin Bell will be a familiar face as well in his small role as an FBI agent in the latter part of the film. Even James F. Moore who plays a simple barber with a pittance for dialogue is essential to the feel of this moving film. It's the character actors who steal this show. it's an outstanding film with crystal clear DVD remastering in sound and quality, There are several memorable scenes integral to the story (Hackman's encounter with Frank Bailey at "the club") and naturally the scenes that accompany such a film that stir the audience into righteous outrage. For the purposes of this movie, everything and everybody clicks. There are some gripping behind the scene stories as to the extent actors like the great Stephen Tobolowski went to dig into their roles, making their performances all the more effective and proven on the final print. When I started buying DVDs, this was on the top of my list. It's a steal at the often found bargain price.