Review of Detroit (2017) by Ben L — 09 Aug 2017

I knew some small details about the Detroit riots in 1967, and that is the framework for the film Detroit. For awhile I was concerned the entire film was going to be a big picture look at the riots and we'd never find specific characters with names, and I would have a problem with emotional connection. I should have trusted in Kathryn Bigelow, because she knows how to tell this kind of story. The opening scenes were merely setting the stage so we can understand the situation and the mindset of the people we will meet when we get to the Algiers Motel.

The cast is loaded with excellent actors. Each one has their own unique reaction to the situation from fear, to anger, to confusion. The connection between Algee Smith and Jacob Latimore might be my favorite part, because they go through such a long emotional journey through this film. Will Poulter, Jack Reynor, and Ben O?Toole are left with the unenviable job of playing the racist cops controlling the whole situation. They were excellent at being terrible, especially Poulter who sells his character as someone who thinks he's actually doing his job well despite his brutality.

There's one thing I felt through most of Detroit, and that is tension. There's a large percentage of the film where it seemed that anyone could die at any moment. I could not breath in certain moments fearing that one of these men were going to die. I will admit there were some elements that weren't perfect in the film. A few scenes are telegraphed way too early so we know what?s coming, a couple characters seem a bit stereotyped instead of authentic, and there was one detail I couldn't understand why no one was discussing if things actually happened as shown.

However, the biggest struggle that most viewers will have with Detroit is with the length. Bigelow?s dedication to telling the complete story means this film continues for an entire fourth act where most films would end immediately after the Algiers Motel Incident. I found a lot to like in these scenes, but I'll admit before they started I checked my watch thinking the film must be ending. This is probably my favorite film from Bigelow because she so effectively took me to that place and time, while also controlling my every emotion. Detroit is not the easiest film to watch, but it's one I think many people should see anyways.