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| Supremacy Directed by Deon Taylor Rated R |
Race and violence was a major topic of discussion as we closed out 2014. Where as my social media timeline and traditional media outlets have covered the decriminalization of African American men across the country, I was intriguied and relieved after reading the notes for Supremacy, I figured I could take a different direction on the portrayal of race and violence especially for the New Year.
Set in California in 1992, a year that eerily mirrors present day, with the Rodney King verdict and the L.A. Riots, we meet Tully, played by British actor Joe Anderson, a White Supremacist who just served fifteen years in prison. Welcoming him from his prison release is Doreen, an Aryan Nation groupie played by Dawn Oliveri, of Showtime's House of Lies. Within the first ten minutes of the film Tully, kills a police officer which then Tully and Doreen go on the run, finding refugee and taking hostage of the Walkers, an African-American family with Danny Glover as the patriarch Mr. Walker.
Over the course of the film, we learn that both Tully and Doreen's belief of white supremacy are grossly skewed as their own weaknesses come to the forefront. Tully's captives, the Walker family, albeit the anti-Cosbys led by Danny Glover an ex-con with a rather tumultuous relationship with the ones he loves. As Tully holds them against their will physically, you begin to see the layers of very complex individuals Mr. Walker and Tully, both with criminal pasts, take on varying roles of good and bad and oddly, leading you to sympathize with varying characters.
Both Anderson and Oliveri are dynamic in their Bonnie and Clyde meets Neo Nazi roles. On the other hand, Danny Glover's role as the fumbling mastermind, Mr. Walker doesn't fully project as a character of depth. Maybe I was expecting a direct Black Panther like militant but, I know film characters all to well and two hot heads and guns wouldn't be that believable. In addition to Glover Evan Ross and Lela Rochon, return to the screen as well as Derek Luke once again playing the soft spoken but strong willed nice guy.
In all, Supremacy is an excellent suspense filled drama that creates a new age ideology on race and violence. My only issue is that the film is based off of a real story but I was unable to find any information on the characters or the crimes that took place. Not holding that issue to it, director Deon Taylor created a strong body of work with Supremacy.
Supremacy rated R (for graphic violence, language and adult situations) opens January 30th for more information on this film go to: www.wellgousa.com/theatrical/supremacy
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