Dear White People-2014

Director Justin Simien

Starring Tessa Thompson

Scott’s Review #274

Reviewed September 18, 2015

Grade: B+

Dear White People (2014) is a highly creative, independent satire that begs to be watched for its message about racism today, homophobia, and class distinctions.

Set at an Ivy League college and written tongue-in-cheek, but also with a direct message from newly discovered director Justin Simien, it is a meaningful gem that challenges audiences to think, be entertained, and occasionally chuckle at the wit and comical lines.

Set in the present day- assuming 2013 or 2014- and well beyond the Civil Rights era, the film features a hip, sharp look and a myriad of characters, all with differing perspectives, all Caucasian or black in racial identity.

All the characters attend the affluent, sophisticated Winchester University, a mostly white, conservative school with a small community of black students who curiously all seem to live in the same dorm house.

The Dean is a Black man (played by Dennis Haysbert).

Sam White (Tessa Thompson) is a rebellious female student of mixed race who runs a radio show entitled “Dear White People”, which challenges the current state of racism in America, specifically at Winchester University.

Supporting characters include Lionel Higgins, a gay, bookish student with an enormous afro, excluded from almost all the sub-groups. Lionel is intrigued by Sam’s radio show.

Other characters include Coco- an attractive black girl with typically “white” mannerisms and friends, who try to fit in with the white culture. Troy, a very handsome black student (who tries to act “white”), dates a white girl (who tries to act “black”).

Finally, the film features Kirk, a white student whose father is the school president, who values an old-style way of thinking.

Shockingly, Kirk hosts a blackface party, which sparks major controversy at the school and drives much of the film’s drama.

The main theme is race, but different characters have different viewpoints on it, and the film explores all of them, which makes it unique and interesting.

Sam, for example, is a true advocate for racial equality and constantly challenges white people’s motivations and actions, blatantly so.

Coco, on the other hand, is resistant to being stereotyped as a woman of color and, in one scene, is incorrectly assumed to be from the hood by a reality television producer she is auditioning for.

She is envious of white people and the advantages they have, even going so far as to have straight hair and blue contact lenses.

Then we have Lionel, who is both gay and black, and considered an outcast. He fits in with no group and, curiously, seems okay being his own person.

What is unique and compelling about Dear White People is that it brings up a controversial issue, mixes it with satire, humorously, but presents compelling arguments against stereotypes, also bringing those stereotypes center stage, which most films avoid like the plague.

One black character is frustrated that, in their mind, most black people are content watching dumb black comedies, thereby supporting a negative racial stereotype.

One interesting aspect regarding the score is the use of lily-white classic film music- such as Barry Lyndon (1975)- the most lily-white of lily-white films (British and Irish).

Famous film director Quentin Tarantino is called out as being a racist director.

What wonderful irony!

Dear White People (2014) is a witty, intelligent slice of inventive filmmaking worth seeing, if only for its controversial subject of inequality and racism, which is too often forgotten.

An indie treat for those inclined to think a little.

Independent Spirit Award Nominations: 1 win-Best First Screenplay (won), Best First Feature