When a museum celebrating the Ku Klux Klan opens in a South Carolina town, the idealistic Reverend Kennedy strives to keep the peace even as he urges the group’s Grand Dragon to disavow his racist past.
“Burden” is a film I would predict audiences to like, particularly in the racially tense times in which we struggle at the present. The story is based on an actual one and depicts the struggle faced by blacks in poor, rural areas where the KKK once held great power. It is might vs right and right stands victorious in all the ways that make us feel good as admirably- intentioned white citizens in America today should feel.
The “Burden” of the title is undoubtedly, to this reviewer, the encumbrance of racism at its ugliest. The members of the KKK in a small southern town are opening a “Redneck KKK Museum” and proud to taunt its opening to the preacher at the local black church, probably hoping to incite violence from the black community that will give his KKK an opening to pounce.
Tom Wilkinson is appropriately smug and the epitome of racial ugliness, Tom Griffin. His son Mike, actually an orphan taken in by Griffin and his wife Hazel, played by Tess Harper, is played by Garrett Hedlund. Mike appears to be somewhat simple, definitely uneducated but given to violent outbreaks of rage when provoked beyond his meager ability to express himself. He has found acceptance within the local KKK group and eagerly helps to build and prepare the coming museum. As a reward for his help, Griffin expansively gives the deed to the old theatre they have remodeled to Mike, with a clause of rentability to Griffin until he dies.
But there is a hitch in the proceedings when local girl, Judy (Andrea Riseborough), and her son Franklin (Taylor Gregory) both catch Mike’s eye and the love of a good woman proves his undoing. Judy lives a simple life as well but her belief and value system has no room for blatant racism and it threatens to end their relationship. As they wrestle with this, Reverend Kennedy, played by Forest Whitaker, enters their sphere and Mike’s foundation begins to crumble.
The conclusion has a bit of satisfying irony thrown in and as the audience, we wish all conflicts such as this one could have this satisfying conclusion. And perhaps with more Reverend Kennedys and women like Judy we could. In the epilogue, the real-life Mike says what this reviewer had thought all along: never overlook the influence of a good woman. In his own words, “She saved my life. She saved my life.”
There are flaws in the writing and production but audiences have so far given this film a thumbs up. Maybe because it depicts the burden of racism in one small town being lifted by very ordinary men not given to extraordinary thinking. Just the interpretation of the scripture and determination of a country preacher and the firm stance of a young woman who is willing to give up love to maintain a diverse world for herself and her son.
Available on DVD & Digital HD July 6th
