Review of Mississippi Burning (1988) by Lindsay W — 11 Oct 2008
Despite excellent performances, and what seemed like good intentions, the story focused on generating an emotional response from the audience rather than truly examining the time period. The plot centers on the FBI's attempt to get justice for three slain civil rights activists.
As the story progresses, and Hackman and Dafoe fail in their attempts to get information, the FBI begins to employ similar methods as the KKK in their hunt for the truth. If the point had been to show the moral dilemma between following the law against terrorism or getting justice, this movie could have been an impressive examination of right and wrong.
Yet instead it seems to laude the actions of the FBI as necessary because their beliefs didn't fit with the current law system - a parellel which also holds true with the Klan, who's actions were following beliefs that didn't fit with Northern ideals.
Through all this, the black community seemed like nothing more than bystanders, who suffered from the missteps of the FBI. None of the black characters took much a role in the events of the film, and although we see a little of their reluctance to step forward for fear of retribution, we never delve very far into any of their characters.
This lack of treatment of the black community seems inexcusable in a film where the focus was supposed to be Civil Rights. Instead the director seemed far more concerned with the relationship between Gene Hackman and Frances McDormand.
Although the film gave me a lot to think about, I can't give it create for generating feelings it never intended to evoke.
This review of Mississippi Burning (1988) was written by Lindsay W on 11 Oct 2008.
Mississippi Burning has generally received very positive reviews.
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