Lee's latest film is based on the true story of Ron Stallworth - a black police officer who managed to inflitrate the KkK in the late 1970s. It takes a considerable dramatic licence with the story.On the police side, Washington and Driver are excellent and help to ratchet up the tension in key plot moments. Washington is a real find with a great flair for the comedic elements of the tale. Harrier gives a spirited and credible take as a black student activist. For the KkK, Hauser adds another barely literate redneck to his roster while Pääkkönen provides suitably chilling menace.
One is struck a little by how little the incendiary talk on both sides translates into action. This is explored in more depth with the KkK as the focus of infiltration quickly shifts to them. They are always talking up their petty conspiracies based on half-imagined injustices. At least, the black power argument is coherent.
Verdict: Though BlacKkKlansman rarely made me laugh out loud, it was very enjoyable and the closing scenes in particular remind us it still a very relevant story.
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