'The Hate U Give' review: 2018's Best Film

Amandla Stenberg's incandescent performance lies at the centre of this sensational and riveting drama, provoking anger, emotion and joy from audiences, all through the unacceptable racism which oppresses it's central characters

Amandla Stenberg rallies up support in 'The Hate U Give' (20th Century Fox/Erika Doss)

by Jack Linsdell

Since the start of October, George Tillman Jr.'s Oscar-hopeful, indie-budget drama 'The Hate U Give' has been playing in a small number of US, UK and other European countries' cinemas. And, although critics and audiences give you the pre-warning of how exceptional the film actually is, it was only upon my screening today that I truly understood it's quality. To say the least, the film is one of the most powerful I've ever seen and I certainly regard it as one of the best-made flicks of all time as well - to the point that I believe in a year with some really outstanding films, this tops them all. If this doesn't at least pick up some awards next year, then something is truly wrong with the system. As a warning to you all, there is a lot to digest here, so take a deep breath folks...here we go.

The Amandla Stenberg-led flick is directed and co-produced by filmmaker George Tillman Jr, from a screenplay by veteran scribe Audrey Wells (who sadly passed away the day before the film's American release from cancer), who adapted the 2017 novel by Angie Thomas for the screen. The film centres on Starr Carter (Stenberg), a sixteen-year-old, Black, American girl whose trapped between the two personalities she presents - one at home with her family in the Garden Height's district (plagued by criminality, poverty and racism), and the other at a posh, predominately white school. We find her having communication and trust issues with her white boyfriend Chris and struggling to find a place in a world where Black people are seen as a 'threat'. After meeting her childhood friend Khalil at a party (after she turned her back on him for the last few years), they get pulled over by a white Policeman on the drive home and Khalil ends up being shot dead. 

That should set the scene, and the film does this nicely as it tells this story from Stenberg's viewpoint in a subjective narrative told by her narration. This allows us as the audience to feel closer to Starr because throughout the entire 133-minute run-time she is telling us this story. Starr is drawn into a making a decision - does she stand up and fight back against the law for what has happened, or does she sit quietly and watch from the side-lines? Indeed, the film is very clear that both have grave consequences. There is so much thematically that is explored in the film that it is too complex to touch upon everything here, but I'll try and simplify it. First and foremost is the idea about racism and discrimination which so plagues these characters from start to finish. As a white person, it is truly appalling and shameful to see how human beings can be so horrible to their own kind, whose only "difference" (the way racists describe it) is that they have darker skin than us. The movie explores racism through the theme of Police brutality and prejudice towards Black people after weekly incidents in America dominate the news these days of innocent, young Black teenagers being shot dead by trigger-happy (or just plain racist) police officers. The way this is handled is objective - we hear the viewpoints of white people and police officers, although our agreements truly lie with Stenberg who only wants equality the treatment of Black people. And, for a film to give us the "other side of the argument" in such a sensitive political issue like this is a truly commendable and admirable thing for the filmmakers to have done here. 

Honestly, there are so many deeply emotional and complex scenes in this drama-flick that are so topical and yet utterly compelling to watch that I hope it promotes discussion of how to solve the problems facing society (we have incidents of Police prejudice against Black people in the UK too). Indeed, the title The Hate U Give is actually an acronym for "The Hate U Gave Little Infants F*cks Everybody" - forming "THUG LIFE", a concept first derived by rapper Tupac Shakur. It basically means "What you feed us as seeds, grows and blows up in your face", in that the oppressive systems that prevent minorities having social and economic progress feed directly into the cycle of crime which in turn affects the way Police view all Black people. When looking at this horrific societal issue that plagues many communities and families in this way, it seems so simple to solve and I hope we can find a solution because it is truly not acceptable what is happening, like it or not. 

However, the film also explores ideas about the strength of family and forgiveness as well as finding your personal strength and purpose, especially in regard to standing up for what you believe in. For me personally, these were all deeply associable themes and the title represents also the basic concept, I believe, that whatever we do/say to people has consequences - the hate you give creates fire - and this makes the movie deeply thought provoking. Also, there are only a few movies that have made me cry before, and only one other that has made me cry more than once in a film - that being Andrew Garfield's 'Hacksaw Ridge'. And, Amandla Stenberg has just joined Garfield on that very short list. Indeed, this film struck such a note on many occasions because it was so immensely powerful. The scenes of such discrimination and truly unreasonable and cruel hatred that Stenberg and her family suffer is really emotional stuff - to the point that some of it really made my blood boil in how people could be so sick-minded. And, the climatic scene where Starr's anger and passion overcomes her and she makes an inspirational speech to the protestors and riot police is another emotional moment. Indeed, the intimate portrayals of human nature/behaviour and the contrasts between the innocent and idyllic family environment with the harsh brutality of the outside life (especially when they collide) really make the film the powerhouse it is. Honestly, everyone should see this film not only because it is raising very important issues, but for the fact that as a human being watching it, the film is so emotionally powerful. 

Audrey Well's screenplay has sharp dialogue, with every scene building towards a crescendo and every line that every character speaks sparking off so many meanings and emotions its incredible. There is humour in the flick, and actually very natural and funny humour at that, providing us a lift occasionally from the emotional torment the movie provides us with. It's also extremely tense, and on many occasions plays like a well-crafted thriller. The tension and humour are well-judged and provide a nice balance with the emotional complexity and depth of the narrative and themes. Truly, for a film to allow the audience to experience the three main emotions of grief, anxiety and laughter to such a deep level is proof unto itself how powerful and well-made it is. 

Talking of how it was made, Tillman Jr.'s direction is outstanding. Like many underrated directors, his style puts the performances as the focus of our attention and his camerawork isn't in your face, arrogant or classy - yes, if broken down how the scenes are framed you could dissect a tonne into how and why he's done certain things and would see how effective the filmmaking is. But, truly when you have a screenplay and source material as high-quality as the ones he had to bring to life, plus a deluge on truly mesmerizingly-talented actors to perform it, you don't need to impress the audience with your fancy camerawork. Sometimes appearing to do less, is doing much more. On that note, worth pointing out is the establishing and closing shots which are the same but in reverse of each other (if that makes sense). For those that have seen 'Saving Mr Banks', you know what I'm on about. The opening shot brings us down from an aerial view of a street filled with Black people going about their everyday lives and pans down to Starr's family home. We see them all inside through a window, showing they are literally framed (trapped) in the racist and oppressed society they live in. The final shot of the movie is panning away from Stenberg's bedroom, liberating the audience from the oppressive society and showing us the same street of people, all of which seem happier and freer because the justice had finally been found. Also, during the film Starr wears Black hoodies until the very end after she has found her voice and an understanding with her boyfriend and friendship issues etc. in which she is last seen wearing a white hoody. The metaphor is clear. She's gone from the darkness to the light. Once she tried to blend in, now she wants to stand out. 

Mentioning standing out, that is truly the best way to describe the performances. Stenberg is absolutely exceptional, and as a relatively inexperienced and very young (only aged 20!) actress, the depth and quality to her performance is so breath-taking that she has such a promising career ahead of her - she is truly a rare talent, much like other young and upcoming actresses like Hailee Steinfeld, whom I've mentioned about before in previous blogs. Stenberg captures the growing ferocity of a storm brewing behind the scenes of Starr, scene by scene revealing more of it with such subtlety and believability that it is truly a progressive performance that just grows and grows with the narrative events. If (and most likely) the film was shot out of chronological order, then how she managed to pull that off is truly extraordinary. She brings the innocent of adolescence, the strength of young women emotionally and the grief of someone whose lost their best friend (and first crush) all together to create a fully-fledged performance. Although many are deserved of that Best Actress award, she has got to be the winner here, surely. And, her smile is so radiating and warm that that' enough to win anyone over. As for the rest of the cast, they're performances are nothing short of outstanding too, with the her Dad particularly being a highlight.

Truly, there is so much to unpick here that I may have to do more article about it but to me it's apparent that in a year with so many (and I'm saying this sincerely) truly outstandingly well-made films that have graced our cinema screens this year, Twentieth Century Fox's 'The Hate U Give' is truly the top of the bunch, in my opinion. Not only is it an example of a truly exceptional well-written and directed and outstandingly-acted drama, but a film that feels more human than any other out there. It's social and political importance in highlighting, promoting and encouraging discussions around the issues of racism and Police brutality make it an important film for everyone to see regardless of skin colour, race, gender, nationality etc. However, it's the sensitivity and care that its portrayed with that makes it truly impactful on an emotional level unlike any other out there currently. It is definitely a human film - by that I mean one about humanity and one that makes you feel humanity (although it may not make you feel proud to be human all the time). 

If this doesn't garner the awards success it deserves then that would be a mighty shame. And, if it doesn't get the viewership from audiences, that'll be disappointing too. Truly, 'The Hate U Give' deserves to be called 'The Love I Receive (from audiences)'. Go and give it some love. Trust me.  

5/5 STARS