The Hate U Give
The Hate U Give is a teen movie. Teen movies are usually
underestimated, but THUG is an important and sophisticated
teen film that engages real life issues and experiences that black teenagers have
to deal with and worry about. Such experiences are rarely acknowledged by media, which makes THUG an important film not only for teenagers,
but also for a wider audience.
The film follows Starr (Amandla Stenberg), who witnesses the
shooting of her childhood best friend Khalil (Algee Smith), at the hands of a police
officer. Khalil’s death quickly becomes major news and while dealing with her
own grief, Starr finds herself caught up in the media frenzy and outrage. The
film not only explores wider conversation but the personal experiences of the
victim’s family and friends after his death.
The film is an adaptation of Angie Thomas’ debut young adult
novel by the same name (The Hate U Give), which was inspired by the phrase made
popular in the 90s by Tupac ‘The Hate U Give Little Infants Fucks Everybody’,
also widely known as THUG LIFE. The phrase is a message: ‘if we continue to
bring up children in a negative environment, surrounded by racism, violence and
oppression then the cycle will just continue’1
A scene in the film sees Starr and her father (Russell Hornsby) deconstruct the meaning of the phrase,
making it stick in the audiences’ mind from there on and it’s easy to see the
truth in the phrase as the film develops. For starters, Starr’s Mom (Regina Hall) enrolls Starr and
her siblings in a dominantly white private school. However, this causes Starr
to have two versions of herself. When she’s at school she’s desperately trying
to fit into the environment, sacrificing who she is to blend in with her
classmates. While she is at home, she is herself and comfortable in her environment. However, it becomes clear that Starr ends up feeling in a way that she
doesn’t belong on either side as she deals with conflicting attitudes towards
her relationship with her white boyfriend (KJ Apa), and dealing with her white
friends who don’t understand her. After the incident happens, the two sides of Starr
fall apart and she quickly realises that she needs to find her voice.
The film has outstanding performances all around. Amandla
Stenberg takes center stage, with an already impressive filmography (The Hunger
Games, Darkest Minds), she carries the part naturally, developing from a relatively
care free 16-year-old girl to a leader for her community and a voice of her
generation right before our eyes. Russell Hornby was a natural and provided a compelling
performance as a father who makes it his priority to raise his children in the
right way. The supporting cast help make the film immersive, powerful and thought
provoking by providing raw, honest performances throughout.
The Hate U Give may have simple messages and doesn’t have
the answers for its themes, but it allows people to acknowledge reality and
start conversations within an audience (teens) which they may not have started otherwise.
The film also may have touched on topics that have been done many times before
in cinema but THUG does them in emotionally unique and effective ways that make
this a must see film for everyone.
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