Black or White

2014
PG-13
2h 1m

IMDb RATING

6.6/10

14K

YOUR RATING

Kevin Costner, Octavia Spencer, and Jillian Estell in Black or White (2014)

The story of a grandfather who is suddenly left to care for his beloved granddaughter. When the little girlÂ’s paternal grandmother seeks custody, a legal battle ensues that forces the families to confront their true feelings on race, forgiveness and understanding.

Play trailer2:16

43 Videos

70 Photos

Drama

A grieving widower is drawn into a custody battle over his granddaughter, whom he helped raise her entire life.A grieving widower is drawn into a custody battle over his granddaughter, whom he helped raise her entire life.A grieving widower is drawn into a custody battle over his granddaughter, whom he helped raise her entire life.

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

6.6/10

14K

YOUR RATING

See production info at IMDbPro

Awards
- 1 win & 4 nominations total

Videos43

Photos70

+ 64

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Storyline

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Did you know

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Trivia
Kevin Costner personally financed this film, because he was moved by Mike Binder's screenplay, wanted to tell the story of the family, and to continue the conversation on race in the U.S. among the film's viewers.

Goofs
When outside the law firm that Elliot visits for the first time, they're discussing his alcohol problem, and a young man in a light blue shirt and mustard colored pants walks by. The same man walks by the same way as they move towards the car.

Quotes
Elliot Anderson: So, yes, we're different, you and I. You want to submit that? Submit it. We have different skin colors. Is that the first thing I notice when I see a black man, the color of his skin? Yes. Submit away. Because I can go ahead and submit that that's the first thing you see when you see a white guy. Now, I don't know why that is any more than I know why when I see a good looking woman the first things I notice are her breasts, because I do. But if I move on to my next thought quick enough, I'm not a pervert, alright? I'm not a bad guy. I'm just mildly flawed. It's the same thing with race. It's not my first thoughts that count, it's my second, third, and fourth thought, and each and every case I'm in, it comes down to the same thing: the action and interaction I'm having with the person that I'm interacting with!

Connections
Featured in The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon: Jennifer Lopez/Anthony Mackie/Iliza Shlesinger (2015)

Soundtracks
White Lies
Written by Paolo Nutini (Paolo Giovanni Nutini) and John Fortis
Performed by Paolo Nutini
Courtesy of Warner Music UK Ltd.
By arrangement with Warner Music Group Film & TV Licensing

User reviews83

Review

Featured review

9/10

Race Done Well

Racism as a plot line has become a very safe and simple one as of late. In the past any film that even approached race was a risk, anyone working on the film would have to be very gutsy to attempt it. However as of late racism has become kind of a cop out and has become a very safe option. This however it not true of Black and White.

As soon as the movie begin we are faced with tragedy, our main character (Played by Kevin Costner) has recently losed his wife and is forced to raise he bi-racial granddaughter all by himself. As you could imagine this is no simple task, especially when you have a drinking problem. Throughout the movie we see our protagonist struggling to raise his grand-daughter alone and struggling with his heavy drinking problem that he has. To make matters worse the grandmother on the other side of the family want custody of the child.

The depth this movie goes into is incredible. In the raging custody battle both sides attempt to bring up dirt on the other to prove that they are not suited to raise a child. With twist and turns and even a downright suspenseful finish Black and White tackles many things movies haven't done before. First and foremost out hero is called many times a racist and even brings up racist remarks from time to time. Many black stereotypes are brought into question and reviewed throughout the court trial. And without spoiling anything the end contains a both amazing and very controversial monologue (The highlight of the film in my opinion)

Amidst tragedy, family, fear, and prejudice Black and White is a film that needs to be seen. It is a movie that is able to throw all this sorrow at you but still leave you with a smile when you leave the theatre. A must see.