JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Detroit (R)
Based on the true story of the Detroit rebellion during the 1960s, "Detroit" begins with police raiding an unlicensed after hours bar during a time when African-Americans are disappointed and frustrated with the inequality they experience in the city and from some racist police officer. That night sparks a rebellion that grows across the city, prompting the National Guard and Michigan State Police to maintain peace.
One night during the rebellion, friends are partying at the Algiers Motel, a place that had been shielded from the rebellion.
During a prank on the National Guard, the night turns deadly for the friends. Detroit Police come to the the motel and terrorize a group of innocent black men and white women, killing three people.
This film takes on the themes of "good versus evil" and "injustice versus equality" whether taking the viewpoint of the police officers or the community. Everyone is forced to think, "Am I doing the right thing?" "Detroit" is also timely and dynamic, and displays a painful irony as police brutality against African Americans of the 1960s is similar to the situation in 2017.
Directed by Kathryn Bigelow, the film has the grit of "The Hurt Locker" and "Zero Dark Thirty". Overall, this is a great film, with strong, striking acting. it is, however, a disturbing true story about this country's history.