Review of Mississippi Burning (1988) by Michael C — 26 May 2012

A pretty straightforward racial drama about two polarized FBI agents investigating the disappearance of two civil rights activists and the young black man they were protecting. The movie is a bit heavy handed at moments, but when you have Willem Dafoe as a liberal, compassionate, by the book agent and Gene Hackman playing a racially tolerant but hard edged and ruthless in the name of the case fellow agent, its hard not to fall to this films charms.

The dialogue was also great; in many ways this feels like a veiled courtroom thrillers, one of my favorite subgenres of film, and the mystery elements that go with such films are present in this as well.

The way it was filmed also I was pleased with; it is shot in much the same way "The Walking Dead" was shot now, where it feels as if its a western regardless of the fact that it is taking place in a populated area rather than a no man's land.

Also amusing to see R. Lee Ermey in a decidedly non-military role.