Mississippi Burning (1988)

This film takes place in the 60s, in the state of Mississipi, known for its ruthless discrimination suffered by the black people. Two FBI officers investigtate the mysterious disappearance of three civil rights activists, one is a young idealistic college kid (played by Willem Dafoe) under whom works a middle-aged man who's an ex-sheriff and was born and raised in a small Mississippi town (played by Gene Hackman). Now this plot may seem a bit ordinary these days even back in the day with many films addressing the same subject like Guess Who's Coming to Dinner (1967) and the beloved To Kill a Mockingbird (1962), but this film takes it to another level with its incredible acting, good writing and beautiful directing. The actors made me enjoy this movie, especially Gene Hackman, seriously this man is a legend, supported by a promising Dafoe and a young Frances McDormand. The contast between the leading actors made the film pleasant to watch as they gave satisfying performances. The film itself was intense but touching and the story was effective, this is thanks to the director Alan Parker that has done a beautiful job.

This film involves the investigation of the disappearance of three civil rights workers in Mississippi in 1967.Dafoe plays the straight man from the FBI, He does everything by the book. But he doesn't get far. His investigation is blocked every step of the way by the locals, including law enforcement and the KKK. Clearly these Southern boys don't appreciate these 'bleeding heart liberals' coming down from the North and telling them how to 'treat their coloured folk'...The Gene Hackman comes along. He's another lawman, but with a more radical approach to investigation...Hackman's character is quite happy to do whatever it takes to achieve the desired objective including beating, threatening and intimidating witnesses and suspects. This approach is more successful...But will it prevail, in the face of opposition from (almost) the entire town?As usual, Dafoe is brilliant, and Hackman, of course never puts a foot wrong. He must have a really good agent, because I have never seen him act badly or be in a bad film. In fact his only mistake in his entire career seems to have been dental in nature...surely someone should tell these guys that 70 year olds do not have perfect, straight white teeth...

Make no mistake- this is a story that should be told, and retold, and told again. But Alan Parker dropped a major ball on this one. How could the combo of Parker, Gene Hackman, Frances McDormand etc fail so badly? I had to keep reminding myself- "this is the man who made 'Midnight Express'". It was easy to forget in the bad writing, the ham-handed smashing-together of facts, the cartoonish depictions. Something like this should never be fictionalized, because it could easily be written off as sensationalism. But o, how real it was. ANd how poorly it was rendered in a master's hands. Everyone's performances were not up to par, though Gene Hackman pretty much owns it as usual. Willem Dafoe was strangely incompetent. Frances McDormand's bad accent (as a southerner I really take umbrage at poor southern accents) left much to be desired. Everyone was drawn in (forgive the pun) black and white, and it just all felt so sophomoric. I feel like the heavy subject matter blinds people to its poor craftsmanship. I would like to see these events depicted again, but properly, and with all the facts. Because the truth was far uglier than this fictionalized brew could impart.

I am in the middle of watching this movie. I did not choose to watch it but my stepfather did. It is hard to watch. It is ugly. It is a heart-wrenching snapshot of what once was.This film is moving, it is emotional, it well written and the acting is top notch.What is most ugly and scary - I think the abuse, hate and ignorance portrayed in this film are still happening today... and being perpetuated by certain individuals.I am sad and broken knowing there are so many who will not know love and acceptance. #lovetrumpshate