Solomon

I seriously enjoyed this film with the family! I love the fact that it's low-key and a shout-out to Detroit. I liked that they didn't shy away from the conversation of racism, nor the terrible thoughts or acts that could happen because of prejudice. I liked that the characters were flawed but willing to give change a try. This film made me think and it made me laugh out loud. The concepts weren't original, but there were some interesting twists, considering that it was ultimately about black and white people breaking through the ignorance and awkwardness, learning to listen, take accountability and ultimately heal together. I kinda got a "Tuesday's With Morrie" type of vibe, if you could imagine that story as if were centered around race relations in Detroit. Would I have been able to forgive ol' Dom and if so, how quickly? I can't say, but I might have been able to put some things aside, at least temporarily, had I seen him on his journey to learning how to "belong" in black spaces. Especially if he was working on deep, personal relationships. There's room for learning from his mistakes. Great Film!

I liked the basic concept of a white guy who gets connected to an older black man who becomes a father figure. The main problem was that I didn't believe the black man and his daughter would forgive him or accept him after the truth came out about his racist attitudes and behavior. I'm white and I won't tolerate a racist white guy like that so I know that if I was black I would definitely not tolerate a racist white guy in my life. I also found it hard to believe that the white guy was able to have some non-racist attitudes and behaviors and then at other times horribly racist and oblivious attitudes and behaviors. Like when he blurts out all the racist ideas at the table full of black folks at the mayor's gala. How could he be that oblivious to his offensiveness? I guess there can be people like that but it seemed weird that no one confronted him and said something like "Hey, you're an educated guy, you're a writer, why the hell do you think things like that and say things like that?" And why didn't the daughter and father discuss the guy's racism when they were alone? I feel like there needed to be a scene where they said something like "Hey, we like some things about this guy but gee, he's a horrible racist and that's just unacceptable!" I guess people should see it for themselves. The white guy was an alcoholic so that was definitely part of his problem but not an excuse in my opinion.