Respond to these rapid questions in our The Best Of Enemies quiz and we will tell you which The Best Of Enemies character you are. Play it now.
Roger Ebert, the beloved founder of this website, was fond of saying that it is not what a movie is about, but how it is about it that is important. “The Best of Enemies” tells the story of outspoken Black activist Ann Atwater (Taraji P. Henson), who finds herself at odds with C.P. Ellis (Sam Rockwell), the Exalted Cyclops of the North Carolina Branch of the Ku Klux Klan, over school integration in the 1960s. The duo co-chaired a charrette in which the outcome of a majority vote would determine the fate of East Durham’s Black students who had been forced to flee after a fire destroyed their school. Despite the fact that they had never been in a relationship, Atwater and Ellis eventually became lifelong friends. For those of you still reeling from the presumed redemption of that racist police officer in “Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri,” this film provides receipts for the redemption of its Sam Rockwell character: Not only do we get to see the real Atwater and Ellis together during the closing credits, but we also learn that Atwater delivered the eulogy at Ellis’ memorial service.
This, my dear readers, is what “The Best of Enemies” is all about, and I have no objections to that at all. The truth can be stranger than fiction at times. My concerns are all related to the way in which this film portrays that story. The Klansman is given more sympathy and attention in director Robin Bissell’s script than the Black children, whose future could be irreparably damaged if the charrette’s outcome is not favorable to them. Despite the fact that she has an equal role in the story, Ann Atwater is relegated to the background, and she even disappears from the screen for extended periods of time. When she’s on the screen, she’s either doing saintly things for her adversary or scowling at the camera, which is a little confusing. I had to think long and hard before I came up with a scene in which Bissell’s camera wasn’t fixed on Taraji P. Henson’s enraged expression on the screen. C.P. Ellis is given the opportunity to express a wide range of emotions that are supposed to represent conflict and humanity; Ann Atwater is only given the opportunity to play the stereotypical role of “pissed off sistah.” Even the film itself makes fun of her righteous indignation, with White guys implying onscreen that she is suffering from PMS.
This film is not only tone deaf, but it is also ass-backwards. Is it possible that the filmmakers conducted a survey before releasing this offensive nonsense into theaters? Or it’s possible that they read the room perfectly, given that the abhorrent “Green Book” has just been awarded Best Picture. However, it is beyond belief that, in 2019, I must review a film in which my latest White savior is the same guy who would put a noose around my neck and hang me from the nearest tree. I can’t believe it. Yes, Ellis did recognize the error of his ways and change his ways in real life. However, it most certainly did not take place in the manner depicted in this film. As a matter of fact, Ellis’s rousing, stand-and-cheer Klan membership card-tearing speech makes no sense in the context of this narrative.
But you shouldn’t waste any more time and start this The Best Of Enemies quiz.
To be clear, “The Best of Enemies” is a White-savior narrative in the traditional sense. Atwater’s daughter, the displaced students, or any other Black characters besides Bill Reddick (Babou Ceesay), who is in charge of the charrette, are all given more screen time than Ellis’ family, his Klan buddies, and his gas station do. When we’re not at school, we’re at the racist dive bar, where the Klan makes light conversation, rather than at the still-smoldering school, where the Black children must attend classes despite the stench. Ellis’ workplace suffers from a gas shortage, and more cinematic effort is expended lamenting the loss of 650 gallons of gas than is expended highlighting the substandard living conditions that East Durham residents must endure as a result of their landlords and politicians working together with Ellis’ crew.
The Best Of Enemies Quiz
The manner in which Bissell treats Ellis’ involvement with the KKK is questionable. To be sure, Ellis and his Klan brethren use racial slurs and don’t want to mix races, but the two violent acts committed by the Klan are both directed at White women. In one scene, a man who is a reputed “nigra lover” is shot to death in his own home, which is shown in fetishistic slow motion (making sure not to hit her with any bullets, mind you). Ellis is a willing participant in that situation. However, he is not present at the second occurrence. In that case, the other woman is threatened with rape and murder if she does not vote against the integration of their country. During sexual molestation, Ellis’ associates force her to use derogatory language against them, leading her to vote against her better judgment. Furthermore, Ellis is not present when his cronies threaten a Vietnam veteran who runs a store that only hires Black people, including a fellow vet who manages the store. Because Ellis’ hands are only dirty once, it was intended that they would remain clean.
Also, you will find out which character are you in this The Best Of Enemies quiz.
Meanwhile, grumpy old Ann Atwater is yelling at everyone in authority in order to be heard, even going so far as to physically assault the most egregious violators. (This isn’t a fabrication; the real Atwater was well-known for this, and Henson puts in a fantastic performance in these scenes.) However, this is the extent of our knowledge of her. In her own story, she is a riddle wrapped in a mystery. When Ellis’ institutionalized son requires a private room in order to function more effectively, Atwater inexplicably strikes a deal with a Black nurse she knows who works at the hospital where Ellis is being treated. What was her motivation for doing this? During my research for this story, I came across a quote from Ms. Atwater in which she described her activist model as “giving someone what they want and then telling them what I want in exchange.” Wouldn’t it have been wonderful to have witnessed that philosophy in action! “The Best of Enemies” isn’t of the same opinion.
About the quiz
Despite the fact that she has a meager role, Henson gives it her all, but she is not the only actress who has been left behind. Anne Heche has a thankless role as Ellis’ wife, who serves as a voice of reason. A filmic Edith Bunker, she rebukes her racist-asse husband’s actions like Linda Cardellini did in “Green Book,” and she rebukes her racist-asse husband’s actions like Linda Cardellini did in “Green Book.” In contrast to Cardellini, she is given the opportunity to leave the house, where she meets with Atwater in the one scene in which Henson is allowed to be playful and add shading to her character. Some Klansmen just happen to be driving by Atwater’s house at the exact same time Mrs. Ellis is exiting Atwater’s house, for reasons that aren’t entirely clear. Oh, my goodness, they are NOT pleased with this!
Also, you must try to play this The Best Of Enemies quiz.
“The Best of Enemies” is a film that cannot be excused for the way it is produced. Even though there was plenty of time to flesh out the Black side of this story in 135 minutes, the filmmakers didn’t think you would be interested in seeing that side. The filmmakers, on the other hand, believe that you’ll enjoy the absurd needle drops that they use in their film. It wasn’t surprising to hear the standard gospel-style humming on the soundtrack—always it’s a sure sign that Black people are suffering in these films! It wasn’t what I was expecting, though, to hear that humming from Bill Withers or Donovan’s “Hurdy Gurdy Man.” It will be up to someone far more knowledgeable than I to explain why the song “Queen Bitch” was blasting from the speakers at one point.
“Bullshit!” I scribbled in my notebook in capital letters. I was being a little too generous. I gained more knowledge from reading Ann Atwater’s Wikipedia entry than I did from watching this reprehensible film. Also on YouTube, I found clips of Ellis and Atwater, which I found to be both fascinating and educational, and I strongly advise you to watch them as well if you have the opportunity.
For more personality quizzes check this: The Lighthouse Quiz.
