Blind Faith

1998 "What would you be willing to sacrifice to keep your family secrets?"
Blind Faith
7.2| 2h2m| NR| en| More Info
Released: 23 November 1998 Released
Producted By: Showtime Films
Country: United States of America
Budget: 0
Revenue: 0
Official Website: http://www.sho.com/sho/movies/titles/97913/blind-faith#/index
Synopsis

in 1957, black lawyer defends his nephew, who faces the death penalty for murdering a white boy.

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sajhtfdjhagvcjrt very intense drama about an upcoming black family in the late 40s, who's life gets out of control as the eldest son turns out to have murdered an Irish boy. pace of the story, characters and the difficult topic as well as a professional film-making crew and excellent actors make this movie a super secret tip! this is not the invention of the wheel, but oh how much i enjoyed that movie. please read other user comments for further info; in my opinion this film is a real candy for those of you who like off-cinema and art-house productions. i also wonder why no one seems to have seen this movie, lets IMDb look a little weak. Themes in this film: family (values, suppression, violence), racism, inequality in societies concerning race or sexuality (esp. homosexuality).
jmorris236 Of all the dozens of excellent films I have in my collection on VHS, this remains the film I would most like to see transferred to DVD. What a gem! When I originally purchased it without knowing a thing about it, I was slightly intrigued by the fact that the synopsis on the video box makes the film sound like a gritty suspense thriller, one of my favorite genres. The plot sounded interesting – a young black student is accused of murdering a while teen in NYC during the 1950's. OK, sounds like an intriguing piece of drama, I'll take it. So I took it home and was utterly blown away. One plot twist after another, fantastic acting, and a surprise theme about homophobia (which turns out to be the main point of the film) kept me riveted to my seat for the entire film. The story was believable, the drama intense, and the ending heartbreaking. I kept thinking about this film for days after I'd seen it, and since then I have lent my VHS to a half dozen friends, all of who were as emotionally effected by its sincerity as I was. This minor masterpiece, which sadly seems to be quite obscure, is a piece of drama that I would not hesitate to recommend to anyone. If you can manage to find it anywhere, rent it, purchase it, copy it, or steal it. You won't be sorry.
jkay-3 I think this film could teach all people, including Black, White & Gayfolk.... what hate is about and what it can cause society as well asfamily.... I would love to see this film brought back and put intotheaters...I had the privilege of working on the Canadian Casting. Even afterreading the script, I knew right away that it would make a greatfilm. I was blown away and brought to tears when I actually saw iton the big screen.I was so disappointed when it disappeared after only a short time. I tell people about this film all the time. It's a shame that it hasn'tbeen advertised more.To date, this is my favorite film.Juli Ann Kay, CSA / CDC Juli-Ann Kay Casting Toronto, Ontario
sychonic It's difficult to understand the mentality of the film industry when it comes to content that deals with bigotry and race. While trash like like "The Hurricane" get wide distribution, quality films like "Blind Faith" are ignored. I caught this movie early in the morning on a Sunday on a cable movie station, it was really the only thing on. Lucky me. The movie was so powerful I was amazed I'd never heard of it, not an advertisement, review, nothing.The basic plot consists of a black accused of murdering a white and caught up in the legal system of the pre-Civil Rights era. Now that plot line is about as old as they come--well trod territory done with excellence in "To Kill A Mockingbird" and with ugly stupidity in "The Hurricane". But this movie gives us more and better than most legal oriented films of any kind. The film centers on an African-American lawyer, solidly acted by Courtney Vance, defending his nephew who steadfastly refuses to explain the circumstances behind the charge. This serves to explain the lawyer's relationship with his two brothers, one a policeman and father of the accused, and the other, a ne'er-do-well jazz musician. Charles S. Dutton is outstanding as the police officer, tormented and conflicted when his son is accused of murder. He's worked hard and long to achieve his success and status, and it's compelling to watch his rage at seeing all he's built teetering on the edge of a precipice. Courtney B. Vance puts in a fine performance as the lawyer, who is barely able to control his emotions through much of the film. His despair, confusion and anger cause him to periodically lash out, often to the detriment of his own cause.Kadeem Hardison, not a great actor to begin with, muddles through as the jazz musician other brother, a really unnecessary addition, but it serves as an excuse to listen to some really fine music, so perhaps that's reason enough for his inclusion.But for the most part, these are actual characters with nuance and depth, real people caught in a complex situation, not cardboard heroes with cardboard virtues who mouth inane slogans.In one scene the black lawyer coaches a witness to lie on the stand, to commit perjury, out of desperation. In another, the judge upbraids him after he yells at a witness, concluding with "remember your place." The judge could easily be referring to the courtroom and his role as lawyer, or is it a racist comment, as the character takes it to be? The ambiguity enriches the movie, allowing the viewer to think, to ponder the circumstances. The white characters are not evil, they come off mostly as people just trying to do their jobs the best they can. The legal aspect of the movie is very well done too--no torturing the legal system with ridiculous departures from real process, or inane speeches that would be instantly ruled out of order in a real courtroom. The resolution, and a very compelling one it is, doesn't give anybody an easy out--it doesn't allow the viewer to just sit back and feel self satisfied, or blather on about a racist leviathan. It forces one to think about the nature of bigotry and prejudice. I won't say more, since to do so would give away the stellar climax.Perhaps the only flaw is the voice over at the end that explains what happens after the story essentially ends. It's needless and kind of silly, and really only detracts from what is a great film. It's as if the film makers don't trust themselves enough to totally follow through with the ambiguity with which they've left the viewers. It's unfortunate, but a common sin in Hollywood.