Black or White (2015)

Continuing my plan to watch every movie in Kevin Costner's filmography in order, I come to his final movie of 2014 black or white. Kevin Coaster certainly wasn't resting in his laurels in 2013/14. For the first time in his career, 2014 saw him release 4 movies in a year. Plot In A Paragraph: A grieving widower (Costner) with a drink problem, is drawn into a custody battle over his granddaughter, whom he helped raise all her life.This is a great movie that is filled with great performances. It's a tricky subject and it could easily go very wrong stepping on a lot of land mines, but it doesn't. It's an uncomfortable watch at times, but it's compelling and totally absorbing. You can tell both Costner's and Octavia Spencer's characters both love the child, but both get caught up in their own feelings a little too much. I'm surprised this didn't garner much notice upon release, and even more surprising it was released straight to DVD in the UK, in January of this year. I think that's a real shame as KC gives one of the strongest performances of his career. Because no studio would finance it. Not for the first time, KC personally financed this film himself because he was moved by Mike Binder's screenplay, and wanted to tell the story of the family.The movie credits show that this movie was dedicated to the memory of J.J. Harris, who was Kevin Costner's first talent manager and also a close friend. Harris passed away a year ago.

Black or White is the story of a grandfather (Kevin Costner) who is suddenly left to care for his beloved mixed race granddaughter.When her paternal grandmother (Octavia Spencer) seeks custody the usual legal battles begin.Based on real events, the movie doesn't gloss over anything. Costner gives a brilliant performance and his little speech when asked if he is racially prejudiced is brilliant and honest.The little girl Jillian Estell playing Eloise is one to watch as she grows up and I hope she carries on as an actress because she did a great job here.Anthony Mackie is good as Jeremiah and Paula Newsome is perfect as Judge Cummings (she bears a startling resemblance to a young Oprah Winfrey which was a bit distracting) Overall a good film and one that anyone with any racial prejudices should watch.

So the plot goes like this. A child whose father is black and mother is white has been raised by the child's white grandparents since she was born because the white mother died during child birth and the black father is off somewhere doing drugs.When the white grandmother dies the black auntie decides that she can't be raised by a crusty old white guy and launches a baseless legal action to obtain custody. Then of the course the black father also turns up, acts like an A-hole and now wants to pursue custody. So you have pointless legal showdown with almost no drama, few plot twists and even some lack of understanding of legal proceedings all to show the audience why a crusty white alcoholic is better than a black family.

Thank you Kevin Costner for such a wonderful touching moving movie. A great Dad by Mr.Costner is a real fighter for his sweet little granddaughter, the only close person he has. Such a great performance by the wonderful actors, I couldn't help crying at some moments. Its terrible that the race problem is still occurred day by day but its really good that people (actors, writers whoever) care about it and try to fight the problem their way. And yes I would definitely recommend the movie to others because thats one of those touching movies one will never forget and will watch it again and again. 10 out 10. Thank u Kevin! Ure the greatest!