Review of Detroit (2017) by Tricia P — 07 Aug 2017

First and foremost, I don't recommend seeing this movie. I'm just not here to support it.

I thought Detroit was moreso about the riots but rather the movie covered the tragic incident that took place at Algiers Motel. I never heard about the motel prior to this movie so that's probably my only "learning point" throughout this. I thought the cast did an amazing job; however, everything else fell flat. I'm not sure what the major takeaway for the movie was besides making you feel sooooo angry and hopeless ... But honestly, you don't need the movie to feel that way since being Black in America is an everyday experience.

*** Spoilers/Snyopsis***.

I was disappointed in this move all around. The reason behind the Detroit riots was explained in an animated history/timeline in the beginning of the movie.. Felt like a 30 sec history recap. Lost me there. Then, you get a glimpse to what started the unrest or when people were just fed up. The movie failed to harp on these moments but instead presented the Black community as just carelessly starting trouble. Like we was just out here foolin and decide to fuck shit up.

So then we start to see the rioting/story take place from Larry Reed, lead singer of the Dramatics. This was also new info for me about how he was involved in this incident.

Fast forward ... We're at the motel. We see about 7-8 Black men (one including Larry Reed) & 2 white women. One of the guys has a toy gun (only does the flash); his name is Carl. Carl decides to shoot this toy gun out the window to scare the national guard and police that way down the block. Well, they get scared, think there's a sniper and raids the motel.

The bulk of the movie is set in this scene. The Black men & white women are forced to put their hands on the wall and then they're tormented. Racist cops interrogate them (they've already been in trouble for shooting a black man in the back w the shot gun but gets excused & put back on duty). He wants to know where and who has the gun.. He also knows at this time, he's fucked up and is trying to cover tracks while scare ppl into talking.

No one talks because there's literally nothing to say. There's no sniper. No gun. Just a horrific moment that's so fucked, it's truly uncomfortable to sit through.

Now, 3 men ended up being murdered. The two white girls were really roughed up. And the others were let go under the impression, they would never speak on what happened. Larry Reed is traumatized and chooses not to perform anymore (his best friend was one of the guys murdered). The Dramatics continue without him and are successful.

Movie ends with a rushed trial and as we ALL know and will always know ... The police officers are not charged. The jury was also all white.

****My Thoughts/Review****.

Honestly, fuck this movie. This was a terrible historical moment that happened during the riots but this movie did not do justice on a social commentary level. This movie doesn't add anything to the discussion of what's going on besides we've always experienced some bullshit and at the end of the day, No matter how much proof there is ... IT DOESN'T MATTER.

You don't learn about the riots. You do see the story unfold in the motel. You feel the pain and anguish that these people experienced BUT that's it. It feels like a movie. It made me angry because it's a constant reminder while being Black but it makes me think: what was the intended purpose... To just make us feel anger? To make white people see how fucked up the system is ...? But what does it matter.. White people see this, experience it, and go back home unbothered because it's just a movie for them. I'm not a fan at all... I feel like it was done for the wrong reasons. The exploitation of a tragic moment is real.

So thank you white woman director for reminding us of the Detroit riots and also reminding us that ain't shit changed or will change. That message was clear as day and has been for quite some time.