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Movies / On DVD / American Violet
American Violet

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American Violet (2009)

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86 %
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Reviews Counted:23

Fresh:20

Rotten:3

Average Rating:7.8/10

Consensus: Though its politics are as obvious as its outcome, American Violet is an earnest docudrama about the justice system with a powerful performance from Nicole Behairie.

Rated: PG-13 [See Full Rating] for thematic material, violence, drug references and language.

Runtime: 1 hr 43 mins

Genre: Dramas

Theatrical Release:Apr 17, 2009 Limited

Box Office: $465,786

Synopsis: Based on the real-life events surrounding a military-style drug raid on the poor, predominantly black housing project of Arlington Springs, director Tim Disney’s AMERICAN VIOLET shines an... Based on the real-life events surrounding a military-style drug raid on the poor, predominantly black housing project of Arlington Springs, director Tim Disney’s AMERICAN VIOLET shines an unflinching spotlight on the shameful racial profiling practices of a corrupt district attorney in a rural Texas town. The raid, which occurs after a tip by a single informant (a former mental patient bullied by the police to name names), targets among others Dee, a single mother of four with no prior drug charges (excellently played by newcomer Nicole Beharie). When the defendant assigned to her case tries to pressure her into a guilty plea in exchange for a 10-year suspended sentence, Dee refuses, rightly insisting that she has done no wrong. But with the vast majority of the prosecuted taking plea deals, even Dee’s mother (Alfre Woodard) thinks she’s a fool. Dee’s heroic defiance soon wins acolytes in ACLU lawyer David Cohen (Tim Blake Nelson) and his assistant, Byron Hill (Malcolm Barrett). The Yankee lawyers team up with local consul Sam Conroy (Will Patton), a gun-toting Texan battling his own past racist demons, building their case against Calvin Beckett (Michael O’Keefe), the villainous D.A. whose tough-on-crime tactics are a smokescreen for his blatantly racially motivated tactics. Set against the backdrop of 2000’s Bush vs. Gore contest, AMERICAN VIOLET’s left-leaning polemic is clear; but the film’s core message of the fight against injustice rings loud, and is underscored by powerful performances from Beharie, Woodard, and O’Keefe--whose dramatic unraveling during Beckett’s deposition speech is, alone, worth the price of admission. [More]

Starring: Nicole Beharie, Tim Blake Nelson, Will Patton, Michael O'Keefe

Starring: Nicole Beharie, Tim Blake Nelson, Will Patton, Michael O'Keefe, Xzibit, Malcolm Barrett, Charles Dutton, Alfre Woodard, Tim Ware, David Warshofsky, Lucinda Jenney

Director: Tim Disney

Director: Tim Disney
Screenwriter: Bill Haney
Producer: Bill Haney
Composer: Teddy Castellucci
Studio: Samuel Goldwyn Films

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Release:

Oct 13, 2009

[DVD Details]
 
 

DVD Features:

  • Region [unknown]
  • Widescreen - 2.35

Audio:

  • Dolby Digital 5.1 - English
  • Subtitles - Spanish
 
 
 
 

Reviews

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1 - 20
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Magda M.11/20/09
60%
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Fresh
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Quote by Magda M.
Roberto A.11/18/09
60%
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Fresh
This movie is good for a tomato, it's based on a true story. It ends too quickly and we have to... More
Quote by Roberto A.
Wil D.11/13/09
100%
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Quote by Wil D.
mufflermachinegun11/12/09
80%
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Fresh
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Quote by mufflermachinegun
Metallus J.11/7/09
40%
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Rotten
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Quote by Metallus J.
Walter D.10/31/09
80%
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Fresh
Gut twisting reality check on the American justice system. Great lead by unknown Nicole Beharie.... More
Quote by Walter D.
Bayard L.10/12/09
80%
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Fresh
Strong performances and pacing keep the viewer engaged to the story through the entire film. The... More
Quote by Bayard L.
unbreakable_samurai10/10/09
70%
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Fresh
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Quote by unbreakable_samurai
Mr. RePlay10/9/09
80%
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Fresh
American Violet is a movie that proves that good things can come from determination and standing... More
Quote by Mr. RePlay
jazza92310/4/09
60%
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Fresh
Predictable but generally well done drama. Nicole Beharie is excellent in the lead role. Fair... More
Quote by jazza923
jennifer's picks & pans9/28/09
50%
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Rotten
This story of racial profiling would be better explored through a documentary.American Violet... More
Quote by jennifer's picks & pans
JEFFERY B.8/10/09
100%
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Quote by JEFFERY B.
cinephile907/12/09
90%
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Fresh
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Quote by cinephile90
John D.5/23/09
70%
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Fresh
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Quote by John D.
Steve B.5/19/09
100%
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Quote by Steve B.
DocRon5/16/09
90%
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Fresh
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marc s.4/27/09
70%
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elf a.4/24/09
100%
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Quote by elf a.
jokerboy19914/22/09
50%
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Rotten
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Quote by jokerboy1991
J R.4/20/09
90%
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Fresh
'American Violet' Comes up Roses, Thorns and AllThis movie is an engaging and disturbing look at... More
Quote by J R.
 
 
1 - 20
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