Blind Faith (1998 Film)
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''Blind Faith'' is a 1998 American
made-for-television A television film, alternatively known as a television movie, made-for-TV film/movie, telefilm, telemovie or TV film/movie, is a film with a running time similar to a feature film that is produced and originally distributed by or to a Terrestr ...
drama film In film and television, drama is a category or genre of narrative fiction (or semi-fiction) intended to be more serious than humorous in tone. The drama of this kind is usually qualified with additional terms that specify its particular ...
directed by Ernest R. Dickerson. The movie stars Charles S. Dutton, Courtney B. Vance,
Kadeem Hardison Kadeem Hardison (born July 24, 1965) is an American actor. The son of fashion model Bethann Hardison, he rose to prominence after landing the role of Dwayne Wayne on the television series ''A Different World'', a spin-off of the NBC sitcom ''T ...
, Garland Whitt and
Lonette McKee Lonette Rita McKee (born July 22, 1954) is an American actress and singer. She made her big screen debut starring as Sister Williams in the original 1976 musical-drama film '' Sparkle''. McKee later appeared in films '' Which Way Is Up?'' (1977) ...
. It premiered in January 1998 on
Showtime Showtime or Show Time may refer to: Film * ''Showtime'' (film), a 2002 American action/comedy film * ''Showtime'' (video), a 1995 live concert video by Blur Television Networks and channels * Showtime Networks, a division of Paramount Global w ...
. The film's screenplay was nominated for an
Independent Spirit Award The Independent Spirit Awards, originally known as the FINDIE or Friends of Independents Awards, and later as the Film Independent Spirit Awards, are awards presented annually in Santa Monica, California, to independent filmmakers. Founded in ...
, while Dutton received two nominations for awards, and Vance garnered one nomination. Set in the 1950s, during a murder trial, the film deals with themes of racism and homophobia.


Plot

Set in 1957, Charlie is a Black 18 year old male who is secretly gay. He is accused of killing a young white man in a nearby park late at night. The white man was one of seven young white men, who had ganged up and murdered his secret boyfriend David Mercer, who is black, during a hate crime based on his sexuality. Charlie is arrested and claims to have attempted to rob the white boy, stating that his death was accidental. Charlie purposefully concealed the truth so as not to expose his own homosexuality and shame his father. He is charged and put on trial, where the young white men lie and testify against him. During the trial, the circumstances of how it really happened are never revealed due to Charlie not wanting to displease his homophobic father, who is a well-respected police officer in line for a promotion to become the first Black sergeant. One of his uncles, played by Courtney B Vance represents him in court and discovers the truth about his nephew after conversing with his youngest brother, a jazz musician who is considered the black sheep of the family. Later, when the truth is finally revealed, the father is in denial that his son is gay, and is more focused on his promotion than finding out what really happened to Charlie that night. By then, it is too late as Charlie is sitting on death row waiting for the electric chair, having lost appeal after appeal. In the end, Charlie eventually hangs himself to make his father proud of him for being a man and keeping "the secret".


Cast

* Charles S. Dutton as Charles Williams * Courtney B. Vance as John Williams *
Kadeem Hardison Kadeem Hardison (born July 24, 1965) is an American actor. The son of fashion model Bethann Hardison, he rose to prominence after landing the role of Dwayne Wayne on the television series ''A Different World'', a spin-off of the NBC sitcom ''T ...
as Eddie Williams *
Lonette McKee Lonette Rita McKee (born July 22, 1954) is an American actress and singer. She made her big screen debut starring as Sister Williams in the original 1976 musical-drama film '' Sparkle''. McKee later appeared in films '' Which Way Is Up?'' (1977) ...
as Carol Williams *Garland Whitt as Charles Williams Jr. *Karen Glave as Anna Huggins * Joel Gordon as David Mercer * Sandra Caldwell as Paulette Mercer *
Aron Tager Aron Tager (June 30, 1934 – February 28, 2019) was an American actor, poet, artist and sculptor, he is best known for voicing Cranky Kong in the animated television series, ''Donkey Kong Country'' and for portraying Dr. Vink on the children's ...
as Judge Aker *Shawn Lawrence as Prosecuting Attorney *Birdie M. Hale as Mrs. Barry *
Peter MacNeill Peter MacNeill is a Canadian film and television actor and voice-over artist who has starred in numerous television series and films. His film credits have included '' The Hanging Garden'' (for which MacNeill won a Genie Award for Best Support ...
as Captain McCully *Jeff Clarke as Timothy


Critical reception

Dennis Harvey, film reviewer for ''
Variety Variety may refer to: Arts and entertainment Entertainment formats * Variety (radio) * Variety show, in theater and television Films * ''Variety'' (1925 film), a German silent film directed by Ewald Andre Dupont * ''Variety'' (1935 film), ...
'' wrote that the "screenplay has some stretches of hackneyed dialogue", but "generally has narrative punch and passion to spare". He was generally satisfied with the acting, saying "Vance anchors the action, alternating convincing courtroom savvy with a desperate, bittersweet familial loyalty...and Hardison, Whitt and Karen Glave ably lead the supporting scroll". Harvey also mentions the "racism and homophobia" being played out in the 1950s murder trial, and highlights the brief prelude to the movie where an older Vance (Charlie's lawyer) is seen in 1989 watching in disgust as the white perpetrators in the racially motivated murder of Yusef Hawkins "get wrist-slap punishment".
Janet Maslin Janet R. Maslin (born August 12, 1949) is an American journalist, who served as a film critic for ''The New York Times'' from 1977 to 1999, serving as chief critic for the last six years, and then a literary critic from 2000 to 2015. In 2000, M ...
wrote in ''The New York Times'' that the movie was "directed with conviction and restraint" and Courtney B. Vance's performance was "first-rate". She also suggested that in the end ''Blind Faith'' is "a father-son tragedy, with a lesson to be learned". In another review for the ''Times'', Bernard Weinraub called the film a "drama on racism", and "the story, by Frank Military, a former actor, deals not only with racism but also homophobia".


Nominations

*
Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Miniseries or Television Movie The Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Television Movie or Limited Series is an award given by the Screen Actors Guild to honor the finest acting achievements in Miniseries or Television Movie. In this cat ...
(Charles Dutton, nominated) *
Independent Spirit Award The Independent Spirit Awards, originally known as the FINDIE or Friends of Independents Awards, and later as the Film Independent Spirit Awards, are awards presented annually in Santa Monica, California, to independent filmmakers. Founded in ...
for Best Supporting Male (Charles Dutton, nominated) *
Independent Spirit Award for Best Male Lead The Independent Spirit Award for Best Male Lead was an award presented annually at the Independent Spirit Awards to honor an actor who has delivered an outstanding lead performance in an independent film. It was first presented in 1985, with M. ...
(Courtney B. Vance, nominated) *
Independent Spirit Award for Best Screenplay The Independent Spirit Award for Best Screenplay is one of the annual awards given out by Film Independent, a non-profit organization dedicated to independent film and independent filmmakers. It was first presented in 1985 with Horton Foote being ...
(nominated)


References


External links

* * {{Ernest Dickerson 1990s American films 1998 LGBTQ-related films 1998 films 1998 independent films African-American films African-American LGBTQ-related films American LGBTQ-related television films Films directed by Ernest Dickerson Films set in New York City