American Violet

Reviewed by Gabriel of Urantia

  • Drama
  • 103 minutes
  • MPAA rating: PG-13

Drama

The true story of Dee Roberts in Hearne, Texas. This is an excellent film of the courage of a young black woman who is accused of drug trafficking, thrown in jail for 21 days, and her reputation destroyed. She loses her job, trying to raise 4 children. Innocent but courageous, she fights back with the help of an ACLU lawyer and overcomes much persecution, threats, and adversity. Thousands of poor blacks are arrested and charged with some form of drug trafficking and are given an option to plead guilty and get a lesser prison record when they are innocent in the first place. This of course happens to poor Hispanics as well. The prosecuting attorney (who was prejudiced in the first place), as well as others in the local government, are fully aware of the innocence of this woman and others he prosecutes. He loses this case, thanks to the help of a local attorney with principle and an American Civil Liberties attorney. The prosecuting attorney, Calvin Beckett, dismisses charges because he does not want the bad press, but he goes on to win the next election. This battle between good and evil exists in every city in the United States in unjust court systems and in unjust newspapers that print biased and sensationalized articles just to sell newspapers and support the status quo. Nicole Beharie, Alfre Woodard.

~Gabriel of Urantia

*MPAA = Motion Picture Association of America

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