Black or White (2014)

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

Director:

Mike Binder

Writer:

Mike Binder

Stars:

Kevin Costner, Octavia Spencer, Gillian Jacobs

2 wins & 2 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Kevin Costner	...	Elliott Anderson
Octavia Spencer	...	Rowena Jeffers
Jillian Estell	...	Eloise Anderson
Bill Burr	...	Rick Reynolds
Mpho Koaho	...	Duvan Araga
Anthony Mackie	...	Jeremiah Jeffers
André Holland	...	Reggie Davis
Gillian Jacobs	...	Fay
Jennifer Ehle	...	Carol
Paula Newsome	...	Judge Cummins
Indigo	...	Young Nurse
Bertha Bindewald	...	Rosita
Joe Chrest	...	Dave
Ireyon Johnson	...	Kristen
Janeline Hayes	...	Dondi

Storyline

Black or White is the story of a grandfather (Kevin Costner) who is suddenly left to care for his beloved granddaughter. When her paternal grandmother (Octavia Spencer) seeks custody with the help of her brother (Anthony Mackie), the little girl is torn between two families who love her deeply. With the best intentions at heart, both families fight for what they feel is right and are soon forced to confront their true feelings about race, forgiveness, and understanding. Anchored by an all-star cast and based on real events, the movie is a look at two seemingly different worlds, in which nothing is as simple as black or white.

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Plot Keywords:

granddaughter | custody battle | grandfather | grandparent | three word title | 

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Taglines:

There's more to family than what you see.

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Genres:

Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 on appeal for brief strong language, thematic material involving drug use and drinking, and for a fight

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

30 January 2015 (USA)

Also Known As:

Black and White

Filming Locations:

New Orleans, Louisiana, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$9,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$6,456,000, 1 February 2015, Wide Release

Gross USA:

$21,569,041, 10 May 2015

Company Credits

Production Co:

BlackWhite,Sunlight Productions,Treehouse Films (II)

Technical Specs

Sound Mix:

Datasat Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Was originally rated R for "brief strong language" but the rating was appealed to PG-13 for "brief strong language, thematic material involving drug use and drinking, and for a fight".

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Goofs

On the first day that Elliott takes Eloise to school, when Eloise stands near the school door and signals to Elliott to indicate that he loves her, initially part of the hem of her skirt is folded up. Then in the next shot her skirt hem is back down where it belongs.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Rick Reynolds: Elliot. Hey.
Elliot Anderson: [dialing his phone] David, it's Elliot. I'm not going home, they'll be takng her body to Richter Memorial. I'll come back in the morning, meet them, go with her, see what's the next step. I'll take to you in the morning.
Elliot Anderson: [now to Rick] ... My brother.
Rick Reynolds: She's gone?
Elliot Anderson: [yes]
Rick Reynolds: Well, what did the doctor say?
Elliot Anderson: That they, um... that they did what they could.
Rick Reynolds: Oh, God, Elliot, I'm so sorry.

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Connections

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

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Soundtracks

Home
Performed by Ella Eyre (Official trailer song)
Written by Ella McMahon, Paddy Byrne, Matthew Marston, Dan Radclyffe

User Reviews

'Not a lot of the other Klan members could be that articulate.'

Writer director Mike Binder has created one of more sensitive films dealing with racial issues yet to be made. He has produced a story, directed it with such sensitivity with an outstanding cast that it absolutely serves not only every ward the film industry can give but also the recognition of everyone working for equal rights. The script is brilliant, rich in humor and pathos, and very, very intelligent.

The synopsis is too brief but offers the flavor of the film: 'BLACK OR WHITE is the story of a grandfather Elliot (Kevin Costner) who when his wife Carol (Jennifer Ehle) is killed in an automobile accident is suddenly left to care for his beloved granddaughter Eloise (Jillian Estell) – a child born to their daughter impregnated at age 17 by an African American junkie Reggie (André Holland): the daughter dies in childbirth and who died in childbirth. When her paternal grandmother Rowena (Octavia Spencer) seeks custody with the help of her brother Jeremiah (Anthony Mackie), the little girl is torn between two families who love her deeply. With the best intentions at heart, both families fight for what they feel is right and are soon forced to confront their true feelings about race, forgiveness, and understanding. Anchored by an all-star cast and based on real events, the movie is a look at two seemingly different worlds, in which nothing is as simple as black or white.'

In addition to the brilliant cast listed above there are cameos by some rather extraordinary actors – Paula Newsome (a gifted and rising star who plays the judge), Mpho Koaho who plays Eloise's tutor, and Joe Chrest – Elliot's attorney partner and best friend.

The film belongs to Costner, Spencer and Estell – and it could not be in stronger hands. Highly Recommended.