Academy Award winners Kevin Costner and Octavia Spencer fight over the guardianship of a grandchild while traversing the murky waters of interracial mistrust in Mike Binder's Black or White. There are lots of different dynamics going on in this involving story of two families struggling with loss and addiction, and the acting is first-rate across the board, but when all is said and done, the movie proves to be much ado about nothing, and it takes two hours to get to that realization.
Studio: Fox
Distributed By: N/A
Video Resolution and Encode: 1080P/AVC
Aspect Ratio: 2.40:1
Audio: English 5.1 DTS-HDMA
Subtitles: English SDH, Spanish
Rating: PG-13
Run Time: 2 Hr. 1 Min.
Package Includes: Blu-ray, UltraViolet
keep case with a slipcoverDisc Type: BD50 (dual layer)
Region: A
Release Date: 05/05/2015
MSRP: $39.99
The Production Rating: 3/5
Writer-director Mike Binder fills out his two hours of screen time with multiple confrontations between all of the principals involved in this custody case. They can be funny or dramatic, ironic or heartfelt, but it really boils down to basics: It really isn’t about their differing races as much as it is the suitability of one side or the other to care for the little girl, and there are certainly red flags on both sides (alcoholism on one side; drug addiction and fewer means on the other: it’s never a question of love or a problem with race though initially that is one of the facets of Rowena’s case) which might prevent the judge awarding custody to one side or the other. So when the final courtroom speeches are made and the decision is rendered, one wonders why this entire affair couldn’t have transpired over a calm and considered ten minute discussion in a closed room instead of dragging things out for months the way they are in the film. Yes, all these grand dramatic gestures allow the stars to strut their stuff: Coster stumbling through alcoholic hazes and making ridiculous decisions we can see are going to backfire on him the moment they occur, Spencer sassing everyone in the film from her younger brother (Anthony Mackie) acting as her counsel to her drug-addled son and even the family court judge (who takes no guff from her and stares her down in one of the movie’s most memorable moments). Binder’s direction is standard fare: meat and potatoes helming without any particular bells and whistles though every scene runs smoothly and a climactic encounter at the pool between Elliott and Reggie does ratchet up the anxiety levels quite a bit.
Kevin Costner has the functional alcoholic act down to a science, and he’s very believable in both his earnest efforts to cope with the chaos swirling about him and his genuine love for his granddaughter. Octavia Spencer perhaps pops her eyes and spits out her speeches a bit too stereotypically for much of the movie, but there is intense feeling there, and she’s certainly entertaining. As the little girl in question, Jillian Estell is a treasure: sweet and open for much of the movie but certainly as willful as any eight-year old can be on occasion: a very believable performance. Anthony Mackie is outstanding as the dedicated lawyer fighting for his sister’s point of view even though he’s at odds with her at certain crucial moments. André Holland likewise offers a realistic performance as a junkie simply not ready yet to be a father despite his mother’s earnest efforts to gain his trust and cooperation. Mpho Koaho adds a terrific amount of entertainment as an over-achieving African exchange student who tutors Eloise and Elliott in math and in common sense. Paula Newsome is quite good as the firm judge in complete control of her courtroom while Jennifer Ehle has a series of wordless cameos as Elliott remembers his deceased wife.
Video Rating: 5/5 3D Rating: NA
Audio Rating: 4/5
Special Features Rating: 2.5/5
Kevin Costner Featurette (2:02, HD): the star discusses his character, and the actor’s work ethic is praised by his co-stars Octavia Spencer and Anthony Mackie.
Family First Featurette (2:12, HD) stars Octavia Spencer and Kevin Costner each take turns describing the plot of the film.
Theatrical Trailer (2:17, HD)
Promo Trailers (HD): Far from the Madding Crowd, Beyond the Lights, Cake, among others.
Ultraviolet: code sheet enclosed in the case.
Overall Rating: 3/5
Reviewed By: Matt Hough
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