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

Costner personally financed this film because he was moved by Mike Binder's screenplay, and wanted to tell the story of the family, and to continue the conversation on race in the U.S. among the film's viewers.

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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

Referenced in Late Night with Seth Meyers: Kevin Costner/Rose McIver/Action Bronson/Fab Moretti (2016)

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Soundtracks

Misty Blue
Written by Bob Montgomery
Performed by Dorothy Moore
Courtesy of Malaco Records

User Reviews

Phenomenal don't-miss-it film.

IMPORTANT TO NOTE: the title is no longer "Black and White". In the film, it is now "Black Or White".

Wonderful script and beautifully acted film. It honestly tells the story showing the love, anger, hurt, tolerance and intolerance on both sides. A human drama that truthfully addresses issues of race and family issues with an interracial child in the middle. And FUNNY! Some great laugh-out-loud moments in the film. Terrific cast lead by Costner and Spencer but the two young actors playing Eloise and Duvan are flawless.

It is very rare for me to gush about a film. And I rarely ever post a review. But...do NOT miss this film. I'm afraid it may not get much of a push. This film will make it on word-of-mouth. So see it and spread the word.