This is an incredibly topical movie that addresses some very important social and racial issues that plague the American society. My problem here is that everything in this movie is so black and white (pun intended) that it loses its connection with the real world and helps perpetuate some stereotypes that aren't helpful for anybody. Now, I don't pretend to have the solution for these issues but I also am not sure that these kind of movies have them either. By making everything so morally easy doesn't help educate people that are faced with much more ambiguous challenges in real life and, for me, if they had made the movie more morally challenging it would make for a much more interesting and nuanced story. For example, my favorite scene in the movie is the short dialogue between Starr and her uncle when he gives her the cops point of view on the whole situation, but even that scene ends with a morally easy way out. I think this story needed more of those kind of scenes, where they would explore the ambiguity of the real world, and then, even if ambiguous, build an ethical point of view to try and do the correct thing and thus spreading your message through much harder scrutiny. On a technical note I think the movie is really well made and Amandla Stenberg was a revelation for me, as they needed someone who could carry the movie and she does a tremendous job, conveying charisma, strength and kindness, a very large emotional range for such a young actress. All in all I do think this is a good movie, even if it's preaching to the choir, that needed a bit more grey in a whole lot of black and white.

Was really intrigued by the idea of the story, which is a brave, important and relevant one with some very complex themes that have much relevance and importance today. Another main reason in seeing 'The Hate U Give' was that it was part of my quest to see and review as many 2018 films as possible, being such a huge fan of film of all genres, old and new. Even if it didn't quite work for me, would still have appreciated 'The Hate U Give' for what it tries to do.

On the most part however, 'The Hate U Give' did work. Not always, some aspects could have been done better and there were things that the film could have done more with or easily done without. Can see why people like/love it, can also see why 'The Hate U Give' hasn't done it for some, how such a bold topic and its themes are executed is not something that will be universally liked.

There are, as said, things that didn't quite work for me. 'The Hate U Give' did come over as longer than necessary, would have trimmed it by 15-20 minutes. The voice over is over-used and explains too much, over-explanatory voice-overs unless really crucial to the story has on numerous occasions not been necessary and annoyed and the film easily could have showed more and told less. It is a good thing that as the film progressed it was used less.

Also thought that there was some contrived scripting, especially at the attempts at levity, and that parts could have done with more subtlety and tact as well as made much clearer.

However, 'The Hate U Give' is well made visually and has stirring use of music. The direction is alert to the drama but also allows breathing space to allow what is happening to resonate. The characters have been criticised for being unsubtle stereotypes, to me they were very real and relatable and the way they were presented was not too one-sided. The acting is one of the best assets, after being in roles that were bright spots but deserving of much better material Amandla Sternberg gives a startling star-making lead performance finally showcasing her talent. Everybody else is very good, with the film remarkably getting the best out of actors who haven't at times amazed elsewhere, some career-best turns here.

Most of the script does work very well, provoking a lot of thought and emotional wallop and its approach to the story and topics is intelligent and mostly does not preach. The story is compelling, effectively showing the true horrors of the situations without sugar-coating and making one feel very strongly about what's happening and relate. Many parts are gut wrenching and very emotional, was often very moved, and what is a bold and complex subject is presented as bold and complex, pulling no punches, very difficult to get right and done very bravely here. The positivity of its message doesn't jar and does warm the heart and induce tears.

Overall, good film if falling short of greatness. 7/10 Bethany Cox

Starr Carter lives in two worlds as two different people. Her family lives in the poor black neighborhood of Garden Heights. Drugs are pervasive. Her father spent time in prison after being the right hand man to drug lord King. He has since become a family man and the owner of a local grocery store. Her mother insists on sending the kids to a private school in the white neighborhood of Williamson. At the school, she has to act safe with white friends and white boyfriend Chris. Her friend Hailey acts more black than her. She attends a black party where shots are fired. Her childhood boyfriend Khalil drives her home and gets killed during a police traffic stop.

The first half is amazing. Amandla Stenberg is engaging. Her two worlds existence is insightful. The shooting is handled with care. There are some awkward plot developments in the second half that are trying too hard. The first is her best friend. While I understand what the movie is trying to do, it needs to set up her character better if she is to turn out that way. What happens is a high hurdle to overcome. It's not like she gets it from one of those rich white girls who gives her the side-eyes. The stuff with King walks the line between tense drama and overblown melodrama. I would pull some of it back. While I am uncertain about some of the developments, I am still invested in Starr and her journey. She is the heart and this young actress is a real star.