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The Best of Enemies 2019

During the volatile summer of 1971, Durham, North Carolina faced intense racial divisions. Ann Atwater, a passionate civil rights activist, and C.P. Ellis, a Ku Klux Klan leader initially resistant to change, found themselves compelled to collaborate on a crucial desegregation initiative. Through their shared work, an unexpected bond developed, forcing both individuals to confront their beliefs and ultimately reshaping their personal journeys and impacting their community.

During the volatile summer of 1971, Durham, North Carolina faced intense racial divisions. Ann Atwater, a passionate civil rights activist, and C.P. Ellis, a Ku Klux Klan leader initially resistant to change, found themselves compelled to collaborate on a crucial desegregation initiative. Through their shared work, an unexpected bond developed, forcing both individuals to confront their beliefs and ultimately reshaping their personal journeys and impacting their community.

Does The Best of Enemies have end credit scenes?

No!

The Best of Enemies does not have end credit scenes. You can leave when the credits roll.

Ratings and Reviews for The Best of Enemies

See how The Best of Enemies is rated across major platforms like IMDb, Metacritic, and TMDb. Compare audience scores and critic reviews to understand where The Best of Enemies stands among top-rated movies in its genre.


Echo Score

The Movie Echo Score

53

The Best of Enemies delivers noteworthy performances but struggles with predictable storytelling and tentative direction. While critics and audiences commonly praise the leads’ chemistry, many point to the film’s familiar beats and telegraphed emotional moments as detracting from its impact. Commentary also highlights uneven pacing and a cautious visual approach that further dilutes engagement. Overall, the film achieves modest appeal through its cast work but falls short of leaving a lasting emotional impression.

The Movie Echo Score Breakdown for The Best of Enemies

45
Echo Score

Art & Craft

In terms of art and craft, the direction and technical execution show restraint but lack inspiration. Observers note the framing often adheres to safe compositions, and the pacing of edits seldom builds momentum. Production design and cinematography provide a consistent period feel without drawing attention. Consequently, the film’s visual and editorial elements support the narrative adequately but rarely elevate the material.

70
Echo Score

Character & Emotion

When it comes to character and emotion, the central performances are consistently acknowledged as the film’s strongest asset. Viewers praise the on-screen rapport between the leads and note credible portrayals of internal transformation. However, emotional resonance is occasionally undermined by predictable character arcs and a shortage of unforeseen developments. In sum, the acting elevates the script, though deeper character complexity remains underexplored.

45
Echo Score

Story & Flow

In storytelling and flow, the narrative follows a familiar trajectory that many find overly predictable. Reviews highlight telegraphed emotional beats and a lack of substantive surprises, resulting in limited suspense. The pacing at times feels deliberate without introducing narrative tension, and the historical events are arranged in a straightforward progression. Overall, the plot’s predictability diminishes engagement despite sincerity in the source material.

55
Echo Score

Sensory Experience

In the sensory domain, the film offers a cohesive visual style coupled with a measured musical score. Critics observe that the soundtrack underscores key scenes without overwhelming them, and the production’s period details maintain authenticity. Sound design remains serviceable but does not introduce distinctive sonic elements. Thus, the overall sensory presentation is competent, though it seldom leaves a memorable audio-visual imprint.

50
Echo Score

Rewatch Factor

When considering rewatch factor, the film’s predictability may limit its appeal on subsequent viewings. Audiences appreciate the strong performances, which can retain some enjoyment, but the familiar story arc reduces the incentive to revisit. The absence of unexpected moments or layered storytelling means revisit value is modest. In conclusion, this title may attract repeat viewings primarily for the lead performances rather than narrative surprises.

Metacritic

49

Metascore

6.3

User Score

Rotten Tomatoes
review

51%

TOMATOMETER

review

77%

User Score

IMDb

7.3 /10

IMDb Rating

TMDB

74

%

User Score

Letterboxd

3.4

From 9 fan ratings

Movie Insider

3.33/5

From 3 fan ratings

Watch Trailers, Clips & Behind-the-Scenes for The Best of Enemies

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Watch official trailers, exclusive clips, cast interviews, and behind-the-scenes footage from The Best of Enemies. Dive deeper into the making of the film, its standout moments, and key production insights.


The Best of Enemies | Official Trailer [HD] | Coming Soon To Theaters

Cars Featured in The Best of Enemies

See 32 more

Explore all cars featured in The Best of Enemies, including their makes, models, scenes they appear in, and their significance to the plot. A must-read for car enthusiasts and movie buffs alike.


Cadillac

1971

Coupe DeVille

Cadillac

1971

Sedan DeVille

Chevrolet

1957

Bel Air

Chevrolet

1967

Chevelle Malibu

Chevrolet

1965

Corvair

Chevrolet

1965

Impala

Chevrolet

1973

Impala

Chevrolet

1973

Monte Carlo

Chrysler

1970

300

Comet

1961

Sedan

Movie Themes and Keywords

Discover the central themes, ideas, and keywords that define the movie’s story, tone, and message. Analyze the film’s deeper meanings, genre influences, and recurring concepts.


ku klux klandurham north carolinaactivismcivil rightsrace relationsyear 1971segregationschool integrationblack americanafrican americangas stationvoice over during opening creditsprotestdemonstrationsingle motherslumlordtelephone callhit on the head with a telephoneamerican flagprayerprayingn wordviolencelistening to musiclistening to a car radiostakeoutcigarette smokinginterracial relationshipriflefalling to the floorshooting up a houseslow motion sceneundressingman wears sunglasses at nightcity halloperation breakthroughhousingpoliticsmicrophonehousing code violationcity council meetingrentreading a newspapermother son relationshipfather son relationshipbrother brother relationshipfather daughter relationshiphusband wife relationshipmother daughter relationshipbrother sister relationship

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