American Violet

PG-13

Released Apr 17, 2009

1 hr. 42 min.

Drama

List

75%

57 Reviews

Tomatometer

79%

10,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

After an overzealous district attorney's drug bust lands her in jail, single mother Dee Roberts (Nicole Beharie) must face an agonizing choice: Plead guilty and go home a convicted felon, or fight the charges and risk a lengthy prison sentence. Despite her mother's (Alfre Woodard) advice and risking everything, innocent Dee chooses to fight the Texas criminal justice system, joined by an ACLU attorney (Tim Blake Nelson) and a former narcotics cop (Will Patton).

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Critics Consensus

Though its politics are as obvious as its outcome, American Violet is an earnest docudrama about the justice system with a powerful performance from Nicole Behairie.

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Frances H

Inspiring story of a brave woman who faces a corrupt justice system and triumphs. We need more people like her and movies like this one to call attention to what needs to be changed.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

05/28/15

Full Review

Audience Member

Excellent movie, as an attorney can say this is one of more accurate legal dramas I have seen. Sorry I didn't hear more about this when released but a very powerful movie and still very timely. Great acting!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/09/23

Full Review

Audience Member

A brutal look at the violence and injustice of the American way of life which is passionately filmed. The actors bring the raw emotions to the screen with heartache. The ignorant superiority of the white against the black in this true American lifestyle movie comes across strongly showing that Americans are the worst people and society on earth and should be corrected. Nibbles: Chocolate Orange Cake.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/22/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Wish I'd Seen this Sooner! This true story was told very well and translated well to the screen. Nicole Beharie's performance was fascinating! I've seen a lot of her work recently and some of her other roles sort of blend because of their similarities. This one however definitely stood out. Not simply because it's a bit of a departure from her other characters, but also because of her performance. I was a bit skeptical she was going to make this character believable; by the end I'd all but forgotten it was actually Nicole Beharie on stage. Alfre Woodward was, of course, flawless in this movie. Xzibit's performance surprised me a bit--he was GREAT! Not too over-the-top, not too flat; his work was just right. Films like this can easily drag on, or be a bit slow, often times playing almost like documentaries. This was definitely a film. One I could watch again. Great Film!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/28/23

Full Review

Audience Member

I enjoyed this depiction of the justice system gone wrong and a fight to fix it .The resolution at the end seemed a little too swift and easy, but otherwise a good picture.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

01/23/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Seems way too fictional.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

01/19/23

Full Review

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Tim Disney

Director

Nicole Beharie

Dee Roberts

Will Patton

Sam Conroy

Alfre Woodard

Alma Roberts

Tim Blake Nelson

David Cohen

Michael O'Keefe

Calvin Beckett

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Candice Frederick

Reel Talk Online

It's beautifully told, passionate and sensitive to the true story and the victims that lived it.

Rated: A

Sep 12, 2017

Full Review

John Hartl

Seattle Times

While it may be about as subtle as a swinging sledgehammer, it does leave its mark.

Rated: 3/4

Oct 15, 2009

Full Review

Tom Long

Detroit News

A well-played if too-familiar story of oppression and injustice.

Rated: C+

May 15, 2009

Full Review

Dan DiNicola

The Daily Gazette (Schenectady, NY)

At the center of the drama is Nicole Beharie, who inhabits her role as a woman unjustly maligned with intelligence, conviction and regal sense of pride.

Feb 3, 2018

Full Review

Kelly Vance

East Bay Express

Less a social-problem film than a drama of personal courage.

Aug 18, 2011

Full Review

Michael Dequina

TheMovieReport.com

Nicole. Beharie. Remember the name, for if her stunning lead turn is any indication, huge things are in the future.

Rated: 3.5/4

Aug 31, 2009

Full Review

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Synopsis

After an overzealous district attorney's drug bust lands her in jail, single mother Dee Roberts (Nicole Beharie) must face an agonizing choice: Plead guilty and go home a convicted felon, or fight the charges and risk a lengthy prison sentence. Despite her mother's (Alfre Woodard) advice and risking everything, innocent Dee chooses to fight the Texas criminal justice system, joined by an ACLU attorney (Tim Blake Nelson) and a former narcotics cop (Will Patton).

Director: Tim Disney
Executive Producer: Peter Newman
Screenwriter: Bill Haney
Distributor: Samuel Goldwyn Company
Production Co: Uncommon Productions LLC
Rating: PG-13 (Violence|Drug References|Thematic Material|Language)
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Apr 17, 2009, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Mar 22, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $552.9K

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