BLACKKKLANSMAN: A Film With Soul!

This film was co-written and directed by Spike Lee, and I think it's his best except for "Do The Right Thing" (1989).  I consider it a MUST-SEE!  The movie is based on the 2014 memoir by Ron Stallworth. It's 1972 and Ron Stallworth (John David Washington – Denzel's son) becomes the first Black man to join the Colorado Springs Police Department.  Ron soon gets the inspiration to work under-cover and join the KKK.  How can he do this, you ask, since his skin color would appear to be an obvious handicap for acceptance?!  Ron joins via the phone and then sends his co-worker – a secular Jew, Flip Zimmerman (Adam Driver) – to the KKK meetings posing as John Stallworth.  (The KKK hates Jews just as much as Blacks.  The KKK basically hates everyone who isn't a W.A.S.P.!)  Even though Flip has fair skin, he still has to "pass" for White at the KKK meetings. I won't say any more about the plot for fear of spoiling the movie, but it's an interesting, true story, told in a straight-forward fashion.  There's some humor, especially when Stallworth is talking on the phone with Klan members, but the scenes with Zimmerman are dead-serious, emotionally-charged, and suspenseful. Both leads do a fine job, but I think it's primarily Adam Driver's movie, since his character is more complex and his scenes have more dramatic impact.  Topher Grace (playing David Duke) and Laura Harrier (playing Stallworth's love interest, Patrice) are also excellent.  What fascinated me is that Zimmerman didn't identify himself as a Jew, but, as he had more contact with KKK members, he became more aware of his Jewishness, which triggered an identity conflict. The KKK and its racist message of hatred is unfortunately still around, but I think this country has made considerable progress with racism and discrimination over the last 45 years.  "Call a friend," spread the word, and go see this one today!