Black or White attempts to explore race relations in a fairly light drama with comedic
elements, but it still gets into serious issues. Among the serious subjects are white and black stereotypes,
parenting, drug and alcohol abuse, and a taste of what happens when the legal
profession gets involved in conflicts.
Comedic elements are shown when two cultures collide (e.g., when the
demonstrative black family wants to repeatedly hug the rather stiff white
lawyer) and when the child Eloise (Estell) is on the scene. Her loving charm and bossiness with her
lawyer grandpa always brings smiles.
Mike
Binder, the writer/director has put together a reasonably good effort to talk
about sensitive issues, breaking it up from time to time with a bit of
laughter, but still showing how conflicts between people who are black and
white can arise through misunderstandings, over-reaction, and lack of awareness
about one’s underlying needs and motives.
When Kevin Costner first read Binder’s script, he said, “It spoke to me.” And I think many audiences will
experience the same reaction.
The
story has to do with a sensitive subject right off the bat; Elliot (Costner)
loses his wife suddenly, and is left to care for their granddaughter Eloise who
has lived with them all her life.
After the grandmother’s death, the child’s other grandmother, Rowena
(Spencer)—who had worked out an amicable arrangement with Elliot’s wife—tries
to get custody on the assumption that her son’s child—whom he has never
seen—will be a reason for him to get his life in order. Not only that, she has a large extended
family who could provide the child with a lot of love and companionship. She sees only the “blackness” in the
child and thinks Eloise would be better off with “her own people”; whereas, of
course, Elliot—despite being overwhelmed by suddenly having to take on the role
of mother—thinks she should stay in the only home she has known. The case goes to court, and we are
treated both to the hearing and to the back-stories that are going on behind
the scene.
Spencer
is a wonderful star who is a formidable presence in every scene she is in. She plays “Big Mama” to the host of
family members who live with her (under her largesse) in two different
houses. (She’s a real estate agent
and has six businesses to run.)
Costner is strong in what may be a comeback role for him, but
unfortunately, his character’s serious drinking is so repellant, it’s hard for
the audience to engage with him.
The climax of the court case ends with an admirable monologue, giving
him extra time, in a sense; whereas the Spencer character does not get that
chance, so the film is likely to be criticized on that point (i.e., favoring
the white point of view).
But
taken as a whole, I think the tensions between the races and the
serious-comedic sides of the story are balanced enough for the audience to be
edified as well as entertained.
Let’s have some gray.
Grade: B By
Donna R. Copeland
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