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

The singer at the funeral for Elliott's (played by Kevin Costner) wife is Lily Costner, the actor's daughter.

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Goofs

Eloise's tablet changes position in the case several times during conversation. When she is facing away from the camera, it's on the first notch in the case. When the camera changes to Elliot, it's in the third notch, then back to the first notch when Eloise faces away from the camera again.

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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

Referenced in Mike & Mike: Episode dated 11 February 2015 (2015)

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Soundtracks

Back To You
Written by Jason French Muniz, Danny Mestanza, Cheapshot (Colton Fisher) and Jason Rabinowitz
Performed by Damato
Courtesy of Bridge Compositions

User Reviews

run, do not walk, to see this film

funny, brilliant, honest script and actors who pull off both harshness and sympathy. special mention to Anthony Mackie, though I know all the critics will give a lion's share of praise to Octavia Spencer and Kevin Costner. Mackie (aka the Falcon) delivers a powerful, resonating speech that simply must be heard. the judge was awesome too, absolutely spot on.

i saw this with my mother at the Toronto Intl Film Festival Elgin Winter Garden Theatre. the room was packed, and the crowd was mixed not just racially but generational too. this is truly a universal film despite its title.

i highly highly recommend this film to everyone.