Kings

Kings from 2017 is an amalgam of drama, romance, historical events, and a crude reality which opens our eyes to the socio-political arena of 1992 Los Angeles. Oscar-winner Halle Berry joins forces with critically acclaimed Daniel Craig in a power-packed representation of one of the darkest patches of American history.

The film is set against the backdrop of the Los Angeles riots - a socio-political event ignited by a jury's acquittal of four police officers for the beating of Rodney King, a black motorist, and the consequential acquittal which led to widespread violence and outrage throughout the city. Halle Berry portrays Millie, a resilient single foster mother living in South Central LA. Mother to eight adopted children of different ethnicities, she courageously navigates life's struggles while trying to provide her family with a better life than she had.

Her character is beautifully etched, showing a confluence of motherhood, sacrifice, love, and resilience against all odds. Millie strives to reconcile with the volatile environment while maintaining the peace within her diverse household. Despite the challenge, she forms a complex network of neighborhood children for whom her home is a safe haven in the midst of chaos.

Daniel Craig, on the other hand, steps into the shoes of Obie Hardison, the cantankerous white neighbor, living in the predominantly black South Central Los Angeles neighborhood. Craig stunningly portrays Obie’s transformation from a distant, uncaring loner into a protective figure who recognizes the need for community unity and alliance in these grim times.

Kings revels in the complexity of its characters and the intricacies of their relationships with each other, as well as their relationship with the neighborhood they inhabit. As the tension in their community skyrockets, these characters find themselves cornered, trying to protect what they hold close - their home, their loved ones, their community.

As-days-turned-nights of unrest unfolds, Millie and Obie’s unlikely kinship blossoms into a deep bond. They join forces to protect their homes, their big chaotic family, and their bruised community. This unexpected connection in the midst of the city’s uprising adds an extra layer of intrigue, presenting audiences with a twist on the classic love-in-desperate-times trope.

Directed by Turkish-French director Deniz Gamze Ergüven, the narrative envelopes a harrowing socio-political event while also intimately exploring the lives of individuals caught in the midst of it. Known for her Academy-nominated film "Mustang," Ergüven navigates through the storyline with nuanced sensitivity, unpacking an infamous chapter of American social unrest through a diverse and rich cast of characters.

At times heartwarming and at others, nerve-racking, Kings portrays both the ruthless upheavals and tenacious hope piercing through the dark clouds of unrest. The film’s exploration of racial prejudice, community loyalty, and the spirit of resilience is brilliantly rendered through Ergüven's lens, capturing a deeply sympathetic and human side to a story muddled in pain and anger.

The cinematography of the film, coupled with a well-rounded original soundtrack, adds an extra flair to the overall gravity of this historical drama. The film’s esthetic, though set in harsh realities, does not suppress the vibrant essence of '90s Los Angeles. Instead, it embraces its animated culture, contributing to the ultra-realistic representation of the time and place.

Kings is not a movie about war or riots. It’s a movie about survival in times of crisis, about love in times of hatred, and about unity in times of division. It is a movie about people cornered by life’s unfortunate circumstances, yet persistently battling to assert their existence in the world. And in their struggle, they find unlikely allies, love in unexpected corners, and their version of a "happily ever-after" in the strangest nooks of life.

In the end, Kings is an emotionally rich, deeply affecting movie that finds moments of human connection amidst chaos and destruction. Its depiction of a turbulent time coupled with the relentless human spirit makes it a must-watch for those who appreciate cinema with a heart.