JUDAS AND THE BLACK MESSIAH

Daniel Kaluuya & LaKeith Stanfield are 2 of the finest actors working in Hollywood today and they continue to pad their already impressive resumes. JUDAS AND THE BLACK MESSIAH tells the story of Fred Hampton (Kaluuya), the chairman of the Chicago chapter of the Black Panther Party. Stanfield plays Bill O'Neal, a petty car thief who gets busted by the police and for the promise of his freedom, infiltrates the Black Panther's and becomes an informant for the FBI. I hate the term "this film is timely" but in this situation it's actually true. The events depicted during the 1960's practically mirror the events of today. Kaluuya is fiery as the activist Hampton, who wants to bring war against the police, the US government, and fight inequality with every ounce of his being. Stanfield plays the role of the swindler, who goes along enough just to save his tail and satisfy his keepers. Wonderful performances by both but I must also note that Martin Sheen's makeup for the role of J. Edgar Hoover, was unnecessarily over-the-top. 6.5/10