The Best of Enemies

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The Best of Enemies

PG-13

2019

2h 13m

History

Drama

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Popcornmeter

51%

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82 Reviews

76%

Popcornmeter

500+ Ratings

The true story of the unlikely relationship between Ann Atwater, an outspoken civil rights activist, and C.P. Ellis, a local Ku Klux Klan leader. During the racially charged summer of 1971, Atwater and Ellis come together to co-chair a community summit on the desegregation of schools in Durham, N.C. The ensuing debate and battle soon lead to surprising revelations that change both of their lives forever.

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Critics Consensus

The Best of Enemies has the best of intentions, but they're derailed by a problematic perspective and a disappointing lack of insight.

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Peter Rainer

FilmWeek (LAist)

It's predictable and conventional, but it has some powerful moments.

Sep 27, 2019

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Barry Hertz

Globe and Mail

But like Peter Farrelly's road-trip dramedy, Bissell's film stretches and flattens history in ways big and small.

Rated: 2/4

Apr 12, 2019

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Andrea Gronvall

Chicago Reader

Comparisons will inevitably be made to Green Book for its upbeat vibe, but in terms of serious craft and admirable aspirations, this film is more in the league of 42 and Selma.

Apr 11, 2019

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Keith Garlington

Keith & the Movies

The film is driven by two equally big yet equally fabulous performances.

Rated: 4/5

Aug 19, 2022

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M.N. Miller

Ready Steady Cut

The Hollywood studio system has taken civil rights films in the direction of the exploitation genre, which doesn’t mean The Best of Enemies is bad medicine; it just makes it a placebo.

Rated: 2.5/5

Aug 18, 2022

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Josh Parham

Next Best Picture

The arcs are predictable and the tone never serious enough for the subject matter at hand.

Rated: 4/10

Jun 4, 2022

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Rhona D

Insightful movie! Thank you!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/22/24

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Rob A

A KKK chapter president and a civil rights activist clash over school integration in 1971 North Carolina. If you enjoyed Men of Honor (Robert Deniro, Cuba Gooding) you'll enjoy this. For sure! And it's a true story so you'll learn some interesting U.S. history too.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

11/26/24

Full Review

David H

I loved this film. It made me wish my dad were still around to watch it with me. I know he would have really enjoyed it. It's definitely a feel-good movie, but sometimes that's exactly what you need.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

10/14/23

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Bryan M

"What will you do when there's nothing left to fight about?" ... sums up the movie pretty well. This is a great story and everyone should see it at least once.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

08/21/23

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John H

Very interesting story with good lead actors. Gitcsoapy in parts but loved seeing the real people talk at the end . Bravery comes in many unexpected people

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/19/23

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Lanfranco C

The reality is extremely complex.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

07/16/23

Full Review

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Robin Bissell

Director

Taraji P. Henson

Ann Atwater

Sam Rockwell

C.P. Ellis

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The Best of Enemies: Trailer 1

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Synopsis

The true story of the unlikely relationship between Ann Atwater, an outspoken civil rights activist, and C.P. Ellis, a local Ku Klux Klan leader. During the racially charged summer of 1971, Atwater and Ellis come together to co-chair a community summit on the desegregation of schools in Durham, N.C. The ensuing debate and battle soon lead to surprising revelations that change both of their lives forever.

Director: Robin Bissell
Producer: Danny Strong, Fred Bernstein, Matt Berenson, Robin Bissell, Dominique Telson, Tobey Maguire, Matthew Plouffe
Screenwriter: Robin Bissell
Distributor: STX Films
Production Co: Material Pictures, Astute Films
Rating: PG-13 (Racial Epithets|A Suggestive Reference|Some Violence|Thematic Material)
Genre: History, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Apr 5, 2019, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Jun 18, 2019
Box Office (Gross USA): $10.2M
Runtime: 2h 13m

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