Spike Lee Retrospective: BlacKkKlansman (2018)

Spike Lee has done it all – not only in terms of film making, in which he’s explored many formats – but also as an activist, among many other things. With the release of his newest film, Da 5 Bloods, this Friday on Netflix, KLM will be highlighting some of his best films – many of which are extremely relevant in terms of the racism that’s currently plaguing our society.

Spike Lee is not only a filmmaker. He is also a screenwriter, an activist and a provocateur- amongst many other things. Cinephiles are aware of the fact that Lee is now a master of his craft. After over 30 years in the biz, and 30+ directorial works into his career, Lee has made a multitude of critically acclaimed films. He has also hit quite a low point in recent memory- his 2013 remake of Oldboy was notably panned by critics and audiences. However, now more than ever, Lee has combined all of his talents and everything he knows best to create his opus- the truly powerful BlacKkKlansman.

The undercover cop story here is familiar, but the way BlacKkKlansman merges with the subject matter at hand is truly fascinating. The way the screenplay portrays Ron Stallworth (Washington) is quite intriguing, and the way his character is built gives us something to take apart and analyze as the film plays out. The most important part to a story as a whole though, is the dual Stallworth effect- considering fellow cop Flip Zimmerman (Driver) has to play him in person to protect the safety of the man himself.

BlacKkKlansman is also often horrifying in the way it depicts the KKK- and it is all handled with such care. In particular, one scene which features an audience of Klan members viewing a screening of the blaxploitation film Birth of a Nation is nauseatingly bone chilling, and will likely remain the best scene of the year. The way Lee handles this idea with such confidence makes this extremely tense true story even more nail-biting. The way Lee directs the film, and the way he ties all of his complex ideas with a shiny bow- is masterful, unlike anything this review has ever seen. The way Lee handles this idea with such confidence makes this extremely tense true story even more nail-biting.

The performances here are as expected, fantastic. In their lead roles, Washington and Driver need to form as one for this to work as well as it does, and thankfully, their captivating performances made it possible. In particular, Washington lives up to the legacy that his father, Denzel, (who worked with Lee on the iconic Malcolm X) created for him, as he proves to be one to look out for in the near future. Topher Grace as “Grand Wizard” David Duke is something truly different for him, and he is quite memorable in his turn- with makeup and prosthetics that make him unrecognizable to boot.  Most notably, in terms of acting, is the absolutely terrifying bow from Jasper Pääkkönen as one of the lead Klan members, Felix Kendrickson. His heart-pounding on-screen presence at this moment of time deserves to win best supporting actor at the Oscars.

Also worth noting here is the editing- frequent Lee collaborator Barry Alexander Brown takes some awesome creative liberties in the way he cuts this one together. BlacKkKlansman starts with footage from Gone With the Wind and other blaxploitation films, and ends with footage from the Charlottesville riots. In particular, this decision ties everything up so well, and makes you view the film it is sandwiched between quite differently.

still courtesy of Focus Features

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