PRINTMovie Review: American Violet
Courtesy of Samuel Goldwyn Films
Nicole Beharie as Dee Roberts leans on her mother, played by Alfre Woodard, for strength.
June 13, 2009 | 12:00 p.m. CST
Based on a true story of unreasonable incarceration laws and racial prejudice, American Violet sheds light on practices that target innocent people. Single mother Dee Roberts (Nicole Beharie) is struggling to support her four daughters while living in the unstable Arlington Springs housing project in Texas. After a raid on her neighborhood, Roberts (along with a majority of her neighbors) is thrown into prison after being unfairly accused of drug distribution.
Roberts is offered freedom but with a catch: She must plead guilty to the drug charges. Adamant about clearing her name, Roberts refuses the bargain. With the aid of ACLU attorney David Cohen (Tim Blake Nelson) and former narcotics officer/assistant district attorney Sam Conroy (Will Patton), the team decides to sue the district attorney. Now, Conroy must contest his former comrades.
Related MovieBeharie, Patton and Alfre Woodard (Roberts' mother) carry the cast by delivering a suspenseful performance filled with empathy for the marginal and oppressed. In her first leading role, Beharie produces a powerfully emotional impact on the audience through a combination of Roberts’ inner strength, love for her children and defiant independence to stand up against a corrupt legal system.
The film’s tone remains somber throughout the movie, but moments of comic relief lighten the intense mood. Patton plays a smaller role, but his personality is enjoyable and brings a laid-back attitude into the mix of characters.
Although American Violet is only Tim Disney’s third film to direct, it is not likely to be his last.
Vox Rating:
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