BlacKkKlansman Puts the K in A-OK

Blunt, provocative, shocking, funny, and timely. Spike Lee's BlacKkKlansman has it all and I loved every minute it.

John David Washington as Ron Stallworth

Set in the seventies, Ron Stallworth (John David Washington) becomes the first black cop in Colorado Springs. After seeing an ad in the paper for the Klu Klux Klan, an idea emerges of infiltrating the Klan. He makes the call and to his surprise, is invited to join.  Knowing that his mere presence will do more than decline his membership, his partner Flip Zimmerman (Adam Driver) goes in his place.

Adam Driver as Phillip Zimmerman

The crazy part in all this is not when Zimmerman successfully poses as Stallworth and manage's to get inducted. It is neither when he maintains his partner's persona when witnessing the audacious activities of the Klan. Nor is it when he gains the attention of Dean Duke (Topher Grace), the "head wizard" who Stallworth previously had the pleasure of speaking on the phone. The real crazy part is that it all really happened. From the memoirs of the real Ron Stallworth to be exact.   

Topher Grace as Dean Duke

BlacKkKlansman is a reminder of the power of art and how influential it can be. This proved to be true even in its inception with D.W. Griffith's 1915 epic The Birth of a Nation. Despite being a milestone in cinema, it's racist undertones sparked the rebirth of the Klu Klux Klan. Said movie is shown at one of the meetings Zimmerman attend's; seeing the attendees of the gathering enjoy such a movie eerily brought to mind the popular Pureflix propaganda.  

Talking with Patricia (Laura Harrier), a member of the Black Panthers

Like his father before him Denzel Washington who portrayed the titular activist Malcolm X back in 1992, John David Washington gives a fantastic performance as Ron Stallworth. Coincidentally both movies were directed by Spike Lee. We see Stallworth change from the nonchalant cop into wanting to take a stand amidst the police brutality that occur to his people. I do not need to mention Adam Driver as he continues to amaze me in every movie he is in. One of the best scenes is when his character ponder's about his Jewish heritage. He is no longer devout but with the current assignment and all that he does to gain the trust of the Klan, it begins to bring back childhood memories of the scripture and bar mitzvahs. Something he cared for so little, is now starting to matter a little more. 

Last year's Get Out (which has the film's director Jordan Peele working as a producer alongside Jason Blum in this picture) showed how fiction can speak greater truths; BlacKkKlansman shows how truth can be stranger than fiction. The only people I can think that would detest this movie would be fans who take Hillary's America and Death of a Nation a little too seriously. BlacKkKlansman is an inspirational but scary reminder of how far the times have and have not changed. 

Final Verdict: (A)