A Day in Black and White

This is simply the best film I've ever seen on race relations. It focuses on all the millions of little frustrations that both blacks and whites have regarding race, and it covers everything from inter-racial dating, barbie dolls, east coast porn verses west coast, L.S.P. (light skin presumption), gangsta rap, Star Trek, affirmative action, Thanksgiving, and organic chitlins. It is also VERY funny! It is not a passionate film like "Do the Right Thing" but it covers just as much ground. It does it subtly, through discussion and humour, and manages to get perspectives of both men and women from teen years through middle age (and without ever seeming rhetorical or preachy!). Some of the acting is a bit amateurish but that just adds to to the film because essentially all of these people are us, no matter what their race.

The only bad thing about this film is that Spike Lee's name is not on it. If it had been it would have seen a much wider release and would be as highly acclaimed as any of the best of his films. Unfortunately Spike had nothing to do with this so it just floats around various cable stations hoping to catch the eye of a viewer who is adventurous enough to watch a movie with no big names attached. Check it out. You won't be disappointed!