"Best of Enemies:" best film of the year thus far

Based on a true story surrounding school desegregation in 1971 North Carolina, “Best of Enemies,” starring Taraji Henson and Sam Rockwell, brilliantly and emotionally portrays those extremely heated and controversial times.

After an unexplained or inexplicable event, Rockwell, who is the leader of the local Klu Klux Klan, and Henson, who is a local black activist, are cleverly forced to face each others viewpoints – and demons. Simply divine writing of this nature engrosses the viewer throughout the film.

Henson’s gritty, fiery and deeply passionate performance is juxtaposed by Rockwell’s somewhat ironically mild mannered but seemingly entrenched racial biases and belief systems – while the writer, step after clever step, uncovers both of their caring human sides. Equally memorable, though smaller performances by Rockwell’s wife, played by Ann Heche, and the mediator, played by Babou Ceesay, add more glitter to this already shining gem.

An absolutely divine musical soundtrack fills the air throughout the film, as “conflict and compromise” evoke anger, empathy and, most of all, the hope of progress.

After last year’s top Oscar contenders – “The Wife” being my favorite by far – were filled with great acting, but plots that just seemed flawed in one area or another, “Best of Enemies” eclipses all of them, delivering a deeply heartfelt and multifaceted storyline with acting, music and wardrobes that left the audience breathless.

You know you have witnessed an all-time great film when wordless character expressions can send shivers down your spine. Such is the case with this priceless piece of work.

****1/2/*****