This is a good movie! The cast is excellent. Forest Whitaker I hope one day wins a lifetime achievement award from the Academy. His body of work demands it. Tess Harper is getting some roles lately and certainly making the most of them. Garrett Hedlund and Andrea Riseborough are excellent and convey well the emotions of those poor and of good character (Riseborough) and someone who never knew good character and struggles finding it (Hedlund).
Really the whole cast from Whitakers wife and son to the Black Motel owner was excellent.
This is another movie Americans need to see.
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jimmyjoe58319 June 2020
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raeeee-5676827 December 2020I think this film has been undermarketed, and i am surprised i hadnt heard it until stumbling upon it online.
Its well worth a watch. The fact it is based on a true story makes it even more compelling.
Great choice of actors. Usher was a great choice. -
johnjbudion-899273 March 2020I remember seeing this title at Sundance in 2018. Outside of needing some editing in the second Act, I thought it was an extremely moving and solid film. Garrett Hedlund is mesmerizing in his performance, and I especially enjoy stories that are based on true events. Courage, love, and redemption. Thank you Mr. Hedlund. I look forward to your future projects, and maybe we will work together one day. Highly recommend this film.
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Gordon-1113 September 2020This is a very touching story about a man who changed because of love and compassion. I find it very moving.
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michaeldoud15 March 2020First Hit: This is a compelling true story about racial change in a small South Carolina town.
The movie documents this story about how Mike Burden (Garrett Hedlund), who was part of the Ku Klux Clan, decides to change his beliefs and makes amends because of his love for a woman.
In this small town, the Klan is still alive and well. Tom Griffin (Tom Wilkinson) is the head honcho in more ways than one. He's on the verge of opening a Ku Klux Klan museum in an old movie theater, and the most impoverished people in town rent furniture and televisions from him. His repossession rate for his rentals is high. He intimidates the town with this control.
Burden works for Griffin and is his prime repossessor. Griffin treats Mike like his own son. On one repossession, he meets Judy (Andrea Riseborough), whose current boyfriend is behind in his payments, and Burden takes the television. Judy throws a temper tantrum and storms out to the car. She attempts to leave, but the car won't start and Buden, gets the car started for her. The looks they give each other show that there is going to be a connection.
Judy has a young boy whose best friend is a young black child. The relationship between the young boys is a reminder that when Burden was young, his best friend was Clarence Brooks (Usher Raymond). Clarence is black, and because he's having trouble making payments on the rented television, Mike has arrived to repossess the tv. Seeing Judy's boy playing with Clarence's son brings up memories of their past friendship, and conflicting feelings based on his current beliefs as a Klansman.
The town has a large black population that comes together at the church that is led by Reverend Kennedy (Forest Whitaker). Kennedy preaches love, forgiveness, and bringing people together non-violently. As you might expect, with the KKK museum opening in town, the black community is upset, and Kennedy leads the non-violent protest.
At one point, Judy puts it to Burden that he has to pick between her or his continuing to be part of the Klan. This choice begins Mike's transition from his being Klan oriented to seeing how it is hurting the community and people he cares about.
Hedlund was amazing as Burden. The way he talked, scattered his gaze when communicating with anyone, and how his walk embodied someone who was doing little to further himself was well done. As he found his voice, he showed subtle ways to make his character believable as he evolved. Whitaker was wonderous as the town's reverend whose goal was to create a peaceful difference. When he brings unexpected guests home, the way he tried to make it right with his family was perfectly portrayed. Riseborough was terrific as Judy. She captured a young woman who stood for her beliefs and had enough compassion to let Burden find his way to her. Wilkinson was excellent and utterly horrible as the town's Klan leader. He made me believe he was a Klansman. Andrew Heckler wrote and directed this true story. I loved seeing the real people at the end of the film as the credits rolled.
Overall: This was a wonderfully presented story about how racism tears communities apart and how love, forgiveness, and acceptance can put them back together. -
krocheav27 May 2021Had heard nothing about this movie but gave it a go and pleased I stayed with it. It's a rough slog at times with its messy hand-held camera style and coarse language script, but obviously the writer/ director felt this conveyed the message - as close to the facts the story is based on. Forest Whitaker (The Last King Of Scotland) is highly impressive as the mid 1990s Baptist Reverend, earnestly out to prove that love is more powerful than hate. He offers safe shelter - in his own home, to a violent ex KKK member and family, inviting a serious situation with his own family as well as the town's angry KKK citizens.
First-time writer/director Andrew Heckler took on a difficult task with this serious subject and at times it shows but the message is certainly an important one. It's quite interesting to see British Award winner, Tom Wilkinson as the nasty KKK leader - while also credited as one of the film's producers! He obviously felt strongly about its racial themes. It features a strong music score and performances are uniformly good. -
Go_For_The_Jugular2 December 2020If this film was a woman, her name would be Sue Perb!
Loved it and definitely recommend. -
bryangary6524 October 2020Thought provoking film about a familiar subject matter.
Acting wise it's all about Forest Whitaker, and all in all a decent drama about a true story -
a-smith-8247828 December 2020A good film about a mans redemption, well acted & thoroughly enjoyed it .
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PsychoBeard66626 November 2020This is a good solid movie that more people should watch.
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movieman6-413-92951016 July 2020Burden is a new drama film directed and written by Andrew Heckler. This is only the first film he has directed and written, as he has also worked more as an actor in the film world.
The film is set in 1996 in South Carolina and is about Mike Burden (Garret Hedlund) a quiet but loyal member of the Ku Klux Klan. When Mike meets single mom Judy (Andrea Riseborough) and falls in love with her, he tries to leave the Klan. In order to leave the Klan, he seeks shelter with the African American pastor Kennedy (Forest Whitaker) and his family. Pastor Kennedy himself tries to maintain peace between the different races. Now he must first balance the home situation between his family and an ex-member of the Ku Klux Klan.
Andrew Heckler has already conceived and written the script for this film in 1998. Later in 2018 he directed and further filmed the film. The film has only recently been released, because there was still too little money and production from producers to really release the film. This late production is a bit understandable, because the real story where Mike Burden tries to leave behind the Ku Klux Klan only starts somewhere in the middle of the film. As a viewer you will see more about how African-Americans and members of the Ku Klux Klan interact with each other. Although this part of the film contains important information, it is somewhat unnecessary to spend so much tide on these clear messages. If Andrew Heckler had spent a little less time on this, the beginning of the film would have felt a little less wordy.
Once in the middle of the film where the story really starts, Andrew Heckler also shows you as a viewer the good and bad sides of an ex-member of the Ku Klux Klan and an African American family. You also see how both sides condemn each other and actually find it difficult to give each other a second chance. The film also responds to current events where people still measure each other with the history and cultures of their different races.
The acting is done well in the film. Garrett Hedlund and Forest Whitaker both wear the film as two sides of the same coin. Other size actors like Andrea Riseborough and Tom Wilkinson play more small but important roles in this movie. -
dhubin27 January 2018This is a remarkable story of a man's redemption and those who made it possible through courage and love. There are elements, including the name of the central character and an ironic twist that would seem like artifacts of a writer's mind, but they were not--real people, the events that happened to them, and how they chose to respond to those events, provided a story that called out to be told. Writer/director Andrew Heckler does an amazing job telling the story and the cast is terrific.
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subxerogravity3 March 2020It's a tale as old as tike and it's still a relevant tale to tell. I did feel the tale could have been told better. The pacing was off and it did not hold the emotional ties I was looking for. Did a great job in showing me how unnecessary racism can be(not that I did not already knows this), but the redemption of this Ex-KKK member went by just a little too face for me to care. Still a decent movie.
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momomojojo25 December 2021Love how they used religion on both party side. The development of characters and struggling.
Wonderful done, it is not purely focus on the couple but of all the characters.
What nicely done is that those who not on a side but have hurt you on a certain precious area, will even do more destruction to those who are on a side.
Even if you do not have a side to stand on, still will be dragged into it and if you are not for, you are against. Meaning, they will make it as difficult as possible. Even if you are out, it does not mean you can move to the other side.
It shows also the leader does not mean they are the extremes. It means also all people around you that support you, doubting about your standpoint.
This movie moral also gives us also that nobody is born to hate.
What destruction poverty does, due to limited choice possibility
Great acting from all players, camera is just simple standard.
The ending should be done better, but it is made of the facts making it difficult to twist it. This movie should united people instead of let one side "win" -
Makkers114 February 2023Where do we start? Well Forrest Whitaker's head has seen better days. What on earth was he thinking with that ugly hairstyle?
Anyways, you have seen this type of film a hundred times. The plot is signposted in big neon letters and how people change in an instant is incredible. They could have used a better white lead tbh. It was a strange love. Andrea whatsername (from the Death of Stalin) is awesome and so beautiful. Totally different to what I have seen her in before.
This film though has zero surprises, zero tension and 100% predictability.
A true story does not always make a good film.
Love conquers hatred. Blah, blah, blah. Well intentioned but very dull. -
ferguson-627 February 2020Greetings again from the darkness. For someone to truly change their core being, they must have a reason. "Because it's the right thing to do" is usually not enough ... it must be something much deeper like self-preservation or love. For Mike Burden, self-preservation was what kept him loyal to the Ku Klux Klan, while love is what drove him to walk away. The film is based on a true story from 1996 in Laurens, South Carolina, and it's the feature film directorial debut of Andrew Heckler (who also wrote the screenplay).
Garrett Hedlund plays Mike Burden, a war veteran and dedicated Klan soldier who helped open the Redneck KKK Museum. The leader of the local KKK chapter is Tom Griffin, played by Tom Wilkinson. Griffin is a despicable man and a father figure to Mike. The great Forest Whitaker (Oscar winner for THE LAST KING OF SCOTLAND, 2006) plays local Reverend Kennedy, who preaches love and forgiveness while leading his congregation in protest of the new museum.
Poverty permeates the town of Laurens every bit as much as racism. Mike is employed by Griffin in his repo business, and drives around town in a truck advertising 'Plantation Concrete', a business name obviously selected for effect. These poor southern whites take out their frustrations on the only group they view as lower than themselves - local black folks.
Mike's job has him crossing paths with Judy (the always excellent Andrea Riseborough), a single mom just trying to survive and raise her son the right way. Sparks fly between Mike and Judy, and she delivers an ultimatum. His choice to walk away from the Klan for love means his life, and Judy's, gets immediately much tougher. An extraordinary act of kindness from Reverend Kennedy has its own ramifications, and the complexity of racism begins to show.
Supporting characters are played by Tess Harper (Tom's wife), musician Usher Raymond (Judy's friend), Crystal Fox (Reverend Kennedy's wife), and Dexter Darden (Reverend Kennedy's teenage son). Each of these characters offers a glimpse at how hatred evolves and perpetuates, especially in a poverty-stricken small southern town. Unfortunately, two hours is simply not enough to dig deep or make sense of systemic racism. However, personalizing the feelings can shine some light on the topic.
Director Heckler met with Reverend Kennedy in the late 1990's and was able to write the story based on the conversations. As the film ends, we see actual clips of interviews with Reverend Kennedy, Judy, and Mike Burden ... leaving us to wonder if a stellar documentary might be buried in the video vault. The film was an audience winner at Sundance in 2018, and it appears 8-10 minutes have been edited out, leaving a better paced film. The hand-held camera work works against the natural drama and tension of most scenes, although the film does provide some insight into how a person might go about rehabilitating their own poisoned thoughts. And that's certainly worth a look. -
mycannonball21 July 2021This movie does an excellent job of telling multiple sides of this story, which is inspired by two men - a black church and community leader and a white KKK member - and how their connection to each other as well as relationships with others changes things. Difficult subject matter at times, but an important topic and strong acting performances by all. Gritty and real.
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walshj-014686 January 2021Engrossing true story has you hooked from the off. Excellent acting throughout. It's a harsh watch at times with a very important theme but a great movie in its own right. Recommended.
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kpervez6312 June 2020Given the current Black Lives Matter struggles, this is a film that will answer the question why Black people are marching. Simply excellent human story in the backdrop of racial tensions.
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beckettpatsyw13 June 2021I tip my hat to team #Usher. The dedication of those responsible for connecting the Co star with this role, especially with his recent fall -from-grace, in my opinion has been signed- sealed -and delivered! As the supporting actor to legendary and highly esteemed Forest Whitaker, in his portrayal of Rev. Kennedy- a real life persona whom held strong convictions against his local klans party acts of hatred despite the immediate effects and potentially long termed 'backlash' from both the black and white community, family members (son), and other klansmen after adopted son to grand-wizard Mike Burden decides to leave his KKK roots behind. Mike's turn around is fueled by love, and like other films I've reviewed, it's the stories about forgiveness, triumph, and persistence that are most powerful amongst today's attractive audiences. Ushers Clarence plays an important role and is very powerful in the storytelling. This character's purpose is intended to pose a very serious question and analyze others . During the fight scene between the Bullish head-strong site leader and Mike, the newly freed klansmen, played by Garrett Hedlund and Co Star 'Usher' as Clarence, was freakishly realistic and sparks my curiosity to discover the real Clarence Brooks. After Mike comes out -of -pocket, he gets fired and kicked off the jobsite for using the N -word and without any regard summons for his friend 'Clarence' to come join him , which he bravely replies, but In that moment, Usher's character challenges the audience to think about the way we respond . But the nerves of Mike to try offloading his Burdens right, yet Usher diligently justifies his buddies behavior in his performance alongside Forest Whitaker during his depiction of south carolina Rev. Kennedy which was a well executed visceral moment -Quote: ("that boy just says whatever, I don't even think he knows what he's saying sometimes".) Again, instantly, this scene forces us to think whether we have friends like Mike, maybe not a former KKK member ,living in the back Hills of Carolina, but with other faults of their own? The filmmaker also shows us the complexities of friendships and relationships depending on where you are in life, especially in this instance but most importantly relationships get tested and we have to decide who we are and who we aren't. Basically love conquers all, that's the morale of the story.. cliche but true. This is certainly Usher's redemption song, within itself, which speaks to a diverse enough group of people rich or poor/ black and white. I read a quote recently that said "Those who mind shouldn't matter and those who matter will never mind". Pretty amazing huh! I highly recommend this film.
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gbower-633637 February 2018I saw Burden at Sundance, and was captured with how poignant this film is. The tale is an incredible story--and has really effected me on many levels. Even though the story is 20 years old--the lesson is very timeless.
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susanne_c920 August 2020I can't write anything bad about this film, one of the best films I've seen all year, the actors and the acting where amazing the story is relevant, it's based on true people and events. I highly recommend it.
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roger-99-17159929 February 2020Powerful story about Faith , the power of prayer and redemption. A beautiful account on reconciliation, compassion and forgiveness. Great heartbreaking performances, a promising directorial debut.
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TheIrishScorpio16 August 2018I just finished watching this film at the Traverse City Film Festival, I absolutely cannot rave enough about this film! the cinematography, the acting, the dialogue, everything is absolutely spot on! It is so intense that you, as the viewer, can feel the struggle that Mike Burden is going through and it just captures you and sucks you right in. especially if you know anything about the backstory on it and what really happened. To be honest this film emotionally drained me, I am literally exhausted from watching it. I would even have to go as far as to giving it 6 out of 5 stars, this is one of those do not miss movies!!!!
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I saw this film at the 1918 Traverse City Film Festival. I am so glad it is finally being released, even if not very widely. "Burden" was moving and suspenseful - all the more because the events depicted are pretty close to the actual events. And it had people of color taking charge of the situation and displaying the courageous love of Christ - no rescue by a white liberal from the North.
Whitaker was remarkable, as was Garrett Hedlund as Burden, Andrea Riseborough as his partner and Tom Wilkinson (always wonderful) as the hate-filled leader of the local Klan. Hopefully it will be released on streaming so many people can see it as it appears it will have a limited release in theaters. It is also a shame it is rated "R" for language and some violence, as it is a film all young people would benefit from seeing.