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The Best of Enemies
PG13 (SINGAPORE)
2019
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72 %
53 %
Rotten
$ 10 Million
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The Best of Enemies
Positive Reviews
47
Negative reviews
20
Average Rating
3.2
/5
intentioned
serious
emotional
predictable
recognizable
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Positive
Negative
0.6
Wouldnt it have been lovely to see that philosophy in action The Best of Enemies doesnt think so.
Rogerebert
3.0
Which isnt to suggest that Bissells film isnt based on a true friendship, because it is a friendship much truer than the one between Tony the Lip and ..
Indie Wire
4.5
But we get the point: C.P. isnt just a hater hes a man of violence.
Variety
1.3
Robin Bissels film may be based on a true story, but it more accurately resembles an all too familiar Hollywood tall tale.
3.1
The mostly short scenes are often overpowered by pop songs including incongruous choices from Donovan and David Bowies back catalogues and Hensons per ..
2.0
Unfortunately, the film never surprises or offers new insights on such well trod terrain, slavishly following the genre tenets with utter timidity.
Screen Daily
4.5
Ann resists having C.P. involved, too, because she doesnt think the Klan should be given a voice.
The Hollywood Reporter
4.5
Leads Henson (barely recognizable under a mountain of Tyler Perry esque practical makeup) and Rockwell turn in top notch, emotion laden performances, ..
1.5
Unlike other movies on similar subjects, The Best of Enemies doesnt treat racial prejudice as a freakish, isolated pathology, but rather as an unremar ..
The New York Times
4.5
The kind of easy to digest pablum that provides emotional catharsis and a safe space for white liberals to tut disapprovingly at racism.
2.5
But like Peter Farrellys road trip dramedy, Bissells film stretches and flattens history in ways big and small.
The Globe And Mail
5.0
But very few films have dramatized effective ways out of the quagmire.
Spirituality And Practice
4.4
Bissell has made a film where the casting isnt the only thing thats on the nose.
Rogers Movie Nation
3.8
Taraji P. Henson, with chameleon like transformative instincts, makes Atwater an intimidating presence with an afro and a low slung bosom; shes a forc ..
ReelViews
3.0
Hopelessly one dimensional, with Bissell making a terrible television movie about a volatile showdown between combustible personalities.
Blu Ray
4.5
Comparisons will inevitably be made to Green Book for its upbeat vibe, but in terms of serious craft and admirable aspirations, this film is more in t ..
Chicago Reader
2.5
Smartly, he doesnt overplay anythingeither the hatred or the change of heart.
Mark Reviews Movies
1.5
Enough of the film works even when its as predictable as they come that youll likely be okay going along for the ride down this familiar path. (Full C ..
Screen It
4.5
And thats just the shortlist of basic solutions Hollywood has concocted.
The Wrap
4.5
Strong performances and a strange but true story keep this Civil Rights drama from succumbing to formula.
News Day
2.5
A days long meeting is a heavy lift as compelling viewing, and debut director Robin Bissell doesnt clear the bar.
New York Post
3.8
A film that may not quite rank with the best of the civil rights era films, but one that does an excellent job of digging into human frailties that, w ..
Deseret News (Salt Lake Ci ..
1.5
Some viewers will certainly find The Best of Enemies a nuanced take on how racism doesnt just afflict its most obvious victims.
Slate
1.5
Conclusion: The Best of Enemies A promising start quickly descends into troubling formula in The Best of Enemies, wasting two excellent lead performan ..
Film Inquiry
3.0
Sturdy, over simplified melodrama, delivering a maudlin, feel good message.
Susang Ranger
2.0
Outside of some strong acting from the leads, there just isnt enough forward momentum to keep The Best of Enemies consistently engaging.
Flickering Myth
3.8
Admittedly, hes grasping at straws here for common ground, and the proclamation of brother status doesnt sit well with Atwater.
Flim Threet
4.5
The Best of Enemies isnt silent; its full of plot advancing dialogue in which conflicts are defined and challenges are pressed, but the dramatic core ..
New Yorker
3.8
I like this movie, especially now, because it puts a premium... on finding compromise and resolution the hard way: by getting to know your ideological ..
Chicago Tribune
4.5
The highest praise I can offer The Best of Enemies is at least it isnt as bad as Green Book.
Birth Movies Death
4.0
...a good tale. Rockwell gives a fine performance, but Hensons is the one you remember.
Tony Medley
4.0
Published on Apr 7, 2019 Entertainment Rundown Movies include Shazam, Pet Sematary, The Best of Enemies, Fosee Verdon.
You Tube
1.5
Another Oscar bait film that sidelines their POC lead in order to make a problematic KKK leader sympathetic.
You Tube
3.8
Telson says that the film shows how one Christian womans acts of love had ripples that went down generations.
Christianity Today
4.0
By acutely observing the process, by letting each compromise sink in for the character, and for us, it becomes a kind of catharsis for the characters ..
Killer Movie Reviews
4.0
The Best of Enemies is the sort of old fashioned movie making thats falling out of style now.
The Filmy Ap
2.0
Thus, its even more aggravating that debut writer/director Robin Bissell doesnt give equal time to both Rockwell and Henson.
Film
3.1
But despite the strong performances and more than a few audience pleasing moments where peace and love triumph over stupidity and bigotry, the film tr ..
Chicago Sun Times
4.0
In the vein of Oscar winners like In The Heat Of The Night and Green Book, this film is a surprising and riveting true story. It may be set in 1971 bu ..
Dead Line
4.0
The film is based on a true story so this isnt exactly a spoiler.
Solzy At The Movies
2.0
But Bissells fudging of the facts (which includes completely making up the reasons behind the charrette) doesnt create a story thats more insightful o ..
Film Avclub
1.5
Rockwell underplays Ellis ugliness at every opportunity; he doesnt come across as a cartoon, mercifully, but he also doesnt resonate as a persuasive K ..
The Daily Beast
3.0
Its a competently made film, with a good cast and a solid enough script. But for a film based on an incredible true story of an unlikely friendship, E ..
Bowling Green Daily News
2.5
And while the actors do good work, nobody is really stepping outside their comfort zone here. Neither will white audiences be pushed anywhere they don ..
National Post
3.0
How you get a Klan leaders heart to grow three sizes one day is a pretty tall order that The Best of Enemies does in the most expedient and predictabl ..
Original Cin
2.0
There were real moments where Ellis held up his kindness and Bissell doesnt take full advantage of that.
Rendy Reviews
4.5
Through a series of public forums called Charrettes, Atwater and Elliss personal development is superficial but at least the movie doesnt drag the act ..
National Review
3.0
A thoughtful, sincere drama, beautifully performed with a touching conclusion.
Movie Mom
3.8
But Rockwell doesnt use the time to show a racist whos foaming at the mouth.
Datebook Sfchronicle
3.8
Given all this burgeoning talent, its a shame that The Loveless isnt much better.
Film Frenzy
3.8
The Best of Enemies doesnt downplay C.P.s venom or vile behavior.
Hollywood Into To
2.5
Bissells redemptive material never feels as startling and confrontational as it seems to awkwardly hold back its rawness in favor of a preachy, wide e ..
Screen Anarchy
3.0
Its the kind of feel good movie that doesnt get enough attention, or gets belittled for the wrong reasons.
The Only Critic
3.1
But The Best of Enemies doesnt try to tell us that Atwater and Ellis friendship changed the hearts or minds of any other racists.
The Dispatch (Lexington, N ..
4.5
Robin Bissell, who has spent most of his career producing movies, makes his directorial debut. He smartly relies on his actors to carry the day.
Denerstein Unleashed Blog ..
2.0
The Best of Enemies isnt bad, just a mediocrity and a lost opportunity.
Crooked Marquee
1.5
And if someone looks like they just took a shower Well, theyre probably okay, and theres nothing to worry about.
The Spool
3.0
The friendship of Atwater and C.P. and what they accomplished sounds too pat to be real. But it plays as real, and if you want a film with a satisfyin ..
Aarp
4.5
Its exactly what you expect without, well, being exactly what you expect.
Saportare Port
1.9
Aside from Hensons performance, the only thing to look forward to about this movie is what reaction Spike Lee will have to it.
Movie Cricket
4.5
While the film feels a little leisurely and predictable, and perhaps lacks the sharp nuance of say, a Blackkklansman, it is moving, inspiring and info ..
At Home In Hollywood
2.5
Another movie where black people have the burden of making racists understand they are human beings.
idobi.com
3.5
In a book, thats a remarkable story and a call for more complex and deliberate approaches to community dialogue.
Pitts Burgh Magazine
2.0
Though we know where this odd couple story is going before we even walk into the theater, neither the destination nor the journey are particularly all ..
Reel Reviews
4.5
But dont worry, theres much more to Ellis than just a racist terrorist.
Shadow And Act
4.5
By the end, it really pulled off what it needed to, and had that emotional punch.
Double Toasted
1.5
Its just a little too pulpy for the potential power of the story.
FilmWeek (KPCC - NPR Los A ..
4.5
The Best of Enemies not only has two of my favorite actors in the lead roles, but their performances are spot on without being caricatures.
Ncr Online
3.8
Henson and Rockwell, no strangers to portraying their respective characters, find depth and sincerity in their characters and Ann Heche who plays Elli ..
Reel Talk with Chuck and P ..
3.0
Theres potential with this character but this film is not as clever or self aware as it could be.
4.0
THIS IS A GENUINE, GOOD, HEART WARMIN SUPERHERO FILM WITH A GOOD MESSAGE.
DC Film Girl
1.5
In this case, Bissell cant resist the pull of the conversion narrative.
Christian Century
2.0
staggeringly lengthy and even though this is a true story, the film lacks imagination.
City Press (South Africa)
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The Best of Enemies