Civil rights activist Ann Atwater faces off against C.P. Ellis, Exalted Cyclops of the Ku Klux Klan, in 1971 Durham, North Carolina over the issue of school integration.
Taraji P. Henson and Sam Rockwell chew up the screen in “The Best of Enemies” as unlikely accomplices during a civil rights struggle in 1971. The film offers an interesting slice of racial strife in the South, still not fully resolved decades later.
All of the principal characters display a good combination of depth and nuance, critical elements in a film like this where the potential for stereotyping runs rampant. Taraji P. Henson serves up yet another compelling performance as Ann Atwater, a staunch political organizer without peer. Whether advocating for tenants plagued by shady proprietors or ensuring that fair opportunities for education extend to all races, Atwater proves a formidable adversary. Academy award-winning actor Sam Rockwell also shines, in this case as C.P. Ellis, exalted cyclops of the Ku Klux Klan in Durham, North Carolina.
Early on, C.P.’s sense of belonging as a member of the local Klan becomes clear, believing he is part of something greater than himself. He gets along well with like-minded white folk in the town. Further, his status as a Klan leader transcends the fact that his day job consists simply of owning and running a small gas station.
Though tension in Durham between blacks and whites festers openly, trouble escalates further when the black high school catches fire, partially destroying the building. After integration emerges as possibly the only workable solution, the white folk become apoplectic. The decision ultimately falls into the county’s domain where the presiding judge must figure out how to handle his political hot potato. He enlists Bill Riddick (Babou Ceesay in a nice performance) as the man tasked with the thankless job of developing consensus. Selected, presumably representative, members of the community must work together in a series of charrettes – meetings in which all stakeholders attempt to map out a solution – in order to resolve the situation, with at least the appearance of a fair consensus.
The back and forth between Atwater and C.P. result in several memorable exchanges as they reluctantly get to know each other. Complicating matters, C.P.’s son suffers from Down syndrome, which informs the older man’s journey to some form of enlightenment as he begins to appreciate the systematic prejudice against blacks. Later, when it becomes apparent that C.P. may waver on the crucial matter at hand, the Klan, as many age-old institutions do to keep dissenters in line, lavish awards and accolades on him.
Key supporting cast members turn in fine performances as well. Anne Heche plays Mary Ellis, C.P.’s highly intelligent wife whose instincts provide a useful moral compass. Bruce McGill as Carvie Oldham, mayor of Durham and Nick Searcy as an implacable KKK member are both solid.
Based on the book by Osha Gray Davidson, “The Best of Enemies” tells a real-life drama in a touching and effective manner. As the final credits roll, actual footage of Ann Atwater and C.P. Ellis shot prior to their deaths constitutes a fitting tribute to both.
A pleasure to watch from beginning to end, “The Best of Enemies” enlightens and entertains while delivering an important message. Although such deep-seated bigotry seems hard to fathom as recently as 1971, recent events clearly demonstrate that widespread racism remains alive and well.
In theaters Friday, April 5th
