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The Hate U Give Leaves Inspiration For Everyone


The Hate U Give opens with a black father teaching his young children what to do when a cop pulls them over, how to behave, what to say so as to avoid violence, and then has them recite the Black Panther Ten-Point Platform. It’s a startling way to begin the movie, not least when the narration from protagonist Starr Carter refers to this merely as “the talk” -a not unusual, even tedious custom for anyone living in the environment Angie Thomas’ story is set in. It forces its audience, myself included, to check their privilege, having never considered the necessity for this kind of ritual in some areas, some households. And from here, the movie evolves into one of the most searing, truthful stories on contemporary racism, economic disparity and crime, and police violence since Do the Right Thing.
The movie follows Starr (Amandla Stenberg), a teenage girl living two lives as she balances her prestigious prep school persona with her home life in the poor black neighbourhood of Garden Heights. After reuniting with a childhood friend Khalil Harris (Algee Smith) at a house party, they’re pulled over by the police and following a minor altercation, Khalil is killed when the cop assumes a hairbrush is a gun. Traumatized, Starr must now make a decision of what to do as the key witness to the incident, while the lives of her family and her relationships are jeopardized by the subsequent media attention.
Though police shootings of the kind depicted in this film have been happening for decades, The Hate U Give is really timely. The book was only published last year and it’s not hard to see why it became an immediate bestseller. It really taps into the modern culture around police brutality, racial politics, protest marches, and the voice of the youth terrifically well, all of which are core themes explored through the eyes of the damaged, anxious, angry girl at the heart of this story. And it explores the sides of those issues not always addressed in the discussions around them, like how the media frames the killer and often looks to find fault in the victims’ character. Interviews with Starr veer into interrogation, police officers and journalists asking her questions completely irrelevant to the murder of Khalil. The movie also emphasizes the inability of white people, particularly white teenagers and even well-intentioned ones like Starr’s boyfriend Chris (KJ Apa), to fully understand or sympathize appropriately. There’s even a point when one of Starr’s friends “All-Lives-Matter”’s the situation. As depressing as this story is (it’s largely informed by real life and numerous cases, so of course it’s depressing), it’s great to see a movie unflinchingly drawing attention to these nuances.
Irate and hurting in the centre of them is a rousingly brilliant Amandla Stenberg. She is astounding in this role, captivating and honest as she relates all the complex emotions and trauma that arise from Starr’s unique situation. There’s real passion behind every line and every look conveying the burning anger, confusion, and sadness underneath. With ease, Stenberg out-performs an experienced and highly talented adult cast. Russell Hornsby and Regina Hall are great as her parents, as is Lamar Johnson as her brother Seven. The story does an excellent job realizing and developing the Carter family, from Maverick’s strict principles, and values to Lisa’s outspoken worry and discomfort in Garden Heights. You really get to know this family and their dynamic over the course of the movie. Algee Smith, breakout star of Detroit and Will Smith doppelganger (no relation) is excellent and charming, while Issa Rae is perfect casting as the activist ensuring Starr can make her voice heard. Common plays Lisa’s police officer brother, in the unenviable position of having a hand in both fights, while Anthony Mackie plays the foreboding local gang leader King, whose drug dealing operations are in danger of being exposed in the controversy.
The Hate U Give is a visceral and intense movie too. King’s antagonism toward the family provides a threatening subplot; but even smaller moments, like a confrontation Starr has with a classmate or just an uncomfortable conversation packs a hell of a whallop. Of course the shooting itself is the most petrifying. Director George Tillman Jr. paces it in a way so as to draw out the terror, and even though you know where it’s headed, the moment itself shell-shocks the audience regardless -giving us a modicum of the impression that kind of experience leaves on a person like Starr.
Much like how literary critics urged readers of all ages to read The Hate U Give despite its branding as a Young Adult novel, I would urge audiences of all ages to go see its film adaptation. Starr’s character journey is wholly inspiring and the movie itself is a great proclamation for change. It may even be a vehicle for some. There’s a moment where Starr gives a speech during a protest march that is profoundly delivered, impassioned, and speaks to all the frustration at these kind of injustices that seem to happen weekly. It’s modestly cathartic, a lot of the movie is; but it’s also articulating public indignation with broken systems and bigoted authorities, and trying to foster empathy and awareness -doing so with such strength in its convictions I find it hard to believe it won’t move or change at least some for the better.

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