Flash Movie Review: Dear White People
Labels should be used for products like canned vegetables and stereotyping should be used for elements like the weather. There is no useful purpose using either of these on human beings. Keep in mind I believe in calling things as I see them; in other words, I have no problem referring to someone as ornery (how often do you get to hear this word?), or some other adjective if indeed that is how they are acting. But to label or stereotype someone based on where their ancestors were born, their skin color or their religion is simply wrong. Before my first name was common, when I told someone my name, there were times they would immediately ask me if I practiced a certain religion. I would be perplexed, trying to understand how they made that leap from my name, which by the way is the name of a river, a food item and a sports figure; to a religion. You see they were making an assumption without even knowing me. The same thing could be said whenever we were picking sides for a sports activity in school. Because I used to be larger I was usually one of the last ones picked to be on someone’s team. No one realized including me that I had one of the fastest throwing arms among the players. Literally, it was years before I was even given a ball to throw and then everyone was stunned at my speed and accuracy. All of this due to me not looking what people felt an athletic person should look like, thanks to stereotyping. JUDGEMENTS were multiplying throughout this comedic drama about the students of an Ivy League college. Stereotyping and labeling students based on their skin color was the norm in this satirical story. A film festival winner, I thoroughly enjoyed this movie. Some of the cast members were Tyler James Williams (Everybody Hates Chris-TV, Unaccompanied Minors) as Lionel Higgins, Tessa Thompson (For Colored Girls, When a Stranger Calls) as Sam White, Kyle Gallner (Jennifer’s Body, A Nightmare on Elm Street) as Kurt Fletcher and Teyonah Parris (How Do You Know, Mad Men-TV) as Colandrea “Coco” Conners. Everyone did a fine job, partly because of the smartly written script. I found conversations to be authentic even when it was obvious the scene was lampooning a stereotype. The director kept the story moving forward at a steady pace. While watching this picture I was curious how true some of the scenes were for the writer/director because the satire was spot on. Though this was a fun film to watch and I had no complaints, there was a little bittersweetness for me at the end, realizing there will be some people who will watch this movie and not get the joke.
3 stars
Posted on October 31, 2014, in Dramedy and tagged 3 stars, comedy, drama, dramedy, film festival winner, ivy league college, kyle gallner, tessa thompson, Teyonah Parris, tyler james williams. Bookmark the permalink. 15 Comments.
I had only heard of this movie in passing and really didn’t know much about it but after reading your review and watching the trailer, I will definitely be checking this one out.
So excited to see this movie. Thank you for the review!
This reminds me of the quote, “Once you label me, you negate me.” – Soren Kierkegaard
Thank you so much for coming by and leaving an important quote; I appreciate it deeply.
It looks like something we would enjoy thanks for posting. On the issue of people putting labels on others, there is only one person I have met in all of my 55 years who did not judge others and that was a lady of 93 years who told me it was a hard line to walk but one worth learning.
How special and touching that you knew a 93 year old who could teach so many people younger than her, an important lesson. Thank you for coming by to share this with us.
Looks funny and interesting!
If you hadn’t liked my post, this would have gone completely under my radar. I wonder when it will find its way to Kampala😂. Definately on my ‘to-watch’ list! Thank you.
I am so thrilled I got to surprise you and I do hope the film makes its way to you. Thank you so much for coming by and keep up your wonderful posts.
Nice Movie 🙂
Thanks for the comments. I hope you get to see this film and let me know what you thought of it.
Sounds good, looks good. I’m not much of a movie person (as I’ve said before too) but I will watch this one.
No need to say you are not much of a movie person; it is all relative. I hope you get to see this film. Thanks for all of your comments.
Thank you for finding and liking my blog, I read your review and thought about picking the movie out
You are welcome and thank you so much for stopping by to leave your comments. I hope you get to see this film and I would enjoy hearing your thought of it afterwards.