HEAT WAVE - 1990
RATED - NR but probably PG for language & violence. Rated PG in Canada.
RATINGS - 6 Amazon (5/5), 913 Netflix (3.2/5), 70 IMDB (7.0/10).
STARRING - Cicely Tyson, Blair Underwood, Sally Kirkland, James Earl Jones
AWARDS - EMMY for Best Supporting Actor (Jones) plus five other wins & one nomination.
THEMES - Racial discriminiation, injustice, relationships, family.
STORY - The film, based on a true story, begins with a scene from the Watts riot with two cousins (Bob Richardson & J.T. Turpin) arguing over whether to throw a molotov cocktail. It then flashes back to show how they and their family arrived at that point. How did a routine traffic stop flare into one of the worst riots in our history? How did the flames of racial prejudice get so hot? Richardson (Underwood) moved, along with cousin J.T. Turpin and their family, from Alabama to LA. It was supposed to be the land of opportunity but for the Turpins it becomes another racial ghetto and they end up in dead end jobs and alcohol. Richardson goes on to college and a tour of duty in the military. He returns and gets an entry level job as a messenger with the LA Times. He has finally entered into the lowest level of a white dominated profession and has ambitions of advancing. When the riots continue, the white reporters don't dare return to the scene and Richardson volunteers. A very realistic and sobering look at the racial situation in our country during that time (today?). There are several hopeful relationships such as the one Richardson formed with a young white police officer and with Junius Johnson (Jones), both of whom tried in their own way for reconciliation among blacks and whites. Those were voices ignored by both sides for the most part. An overlooked and underrated film. Still relevant and important today. Very well done. Lu G. for Lu's Reviews. 04/26/2008.
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