Black or White 2014

    Elliot Anderson and his wife are taking care of their biracial granddaughter after the death of their daughter.  She died giving birth to Eloise and her father isn’t able to take care of her.  Elliot suffers another loss when his wife Carol dies from injuries received in a car accident.  All these problems are almost too much for Elliot and then Eloise’s other grandmother, Rowena Jeffers petitions the court for full custody of Eloise.  When Rowena thinks this might not go through, she changes the petition for her son and the father of Eloise to have full custody.  Reggie is a drug addict, he’s been in prison and he’s never been in Eloise’s life but his mother is pushing him into court.

     The problem with this film is that it seems like a Lifetime movie, all men suck even if they are trying to do the right thing?  Elliot has a drinking problem but he is trying.  Reggie knows he can’t do the right thing so he doesn’t know what to do but he's trying.  I couldn't seem to relate to the characters so this film becomes just arguing back in forth in life and then in court.  3* (This movie is OK)

121 min, Drama directed by Mike Binder with Kevin Costner, Octavia Spencer, Gillian Jacobs, Bill Burr, Mpho Koaho, Anthony Mackie, Andre Holland, Jennifer Ehle, Paula Newsome.

Note:  Imdb 6.6 out of 10, 39% critic 68% audience on Rotten Tomatoes, Roger Ebert 2 ½*, Amazon 4.3* out of 5* with 1382 reviews.

Special Note:  The director, Mike Binder based this film on his nephew.  His father was out of the picture and his mother died at 33 years old.