Movie Review: Kevin Costner Takes Touching Look At Race And Family In 'Black or White'
You can hear KCBS Entertainment Editor Jan Wahl's movie reviews on KCBS All News 740AM and 106.9FM Fridays at 8:53am & 4:53pm.
SAN FRANCISCO (KCBS) -- KCBS Entertainment Editor Jan Wahl reviews "Black or White," a drama centered around a custody battle with racial undertones between a child's father (Kevin Costner) and grandmother (Octavia Spencer).
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BLACK OR WHITE (PG-13) 121 min
This is one courageous movie. No wonder Kevin Costner used his own money to make it. "Black or White," written and directed by Mike Binder, tells the complicated story about child custody and cultural perceptions. Costner plays a man who needs a meeting--he's fighting alcoholism. Both his drinking and attitude are causing problems with his seven-year-old granddaughter (Jillian Estell).
She's the child he's been raising since his daughter died in childbirth the father left the scene. Her paternal grandmother (Octavia Spencer) now wants custody believing that family love is more important than a life of money and prestige.
This is one of those rare films that show us both sides of a situation. Costner is at his best, and Spencer plays it with reality and heart.
This one will make you think about what really matters in this life. A smartly observed, touching film.
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