The Hate U Give

THE GIST: Young Starr lives in a poor, mostly Black neighborhood, but goes to a prep school in a rich, predominantly White community. Needing to fit in in both environments, she inhabits a different persona based on where she is at the moment. On her way home one night, she witnesses her best friend Khalil shot dead by a police officer, who thought he had a gun. The pressure on her from the two worlds she straddles will reach unbearable levels as she tries to find her voice and stand up for what she believes is right.

The Hate U Give is a movie with a very powerful message because the story it tells is one we've all seen on the news time and time again, that of the Black man who doesn't survive an encounter with the police that would have a completely benign outcome if he was White.

Amandla Stenberg is excellent in the role of Starr. Regina Hall and Russell Hornsby play her concerned parents. Anthony Mackie, Issa Rae, Common, Algee Smith, K.J. Apa, and Dominique Fishback also star.

THE BOTTOM LINE: A well-made movie that deals with a very topical subject. It should be required viewing in every American school.

Grade: 7.5