The district attorney of Harmony, Texas is Calvin Beckett (Michael O’ Keefe) and he has fought the good fight against drug abuse in his region. The film opens with Beckett leading a raid on a low-income housing project that is notorious for drug activity. One of the arrested suspects is a single mother named Dee Roberts (Nicole Beharie).

Dee is swiftly prosecuted, jailed and then given a plea bargain that would set her free if she pleads guilty. Unwilling to confess to something she didn’t do and unwilling to have a drug charge on her permanent record Dee dares to stand her ground against Beckett and his cronies. Even with the help of a local lawyer (Will Patton) and two members of the ACLU (Tim Blake Nelson and Malcolm Barrett) Dee will have a tough time challenging the long arm of DA Barrett’s law.

I saw the trailer for American Violet but neglected to see it in the theater. This is one movie I really should’ve made an effort to support so hopefully I can correct some of that mistake by reviewing the DVD release. Especially during these times Hollywood is great for producing films that help to take our minds off the woes of reality be it our neighbors fighting halfway round the world or being laid off for over a month. Every so often, Tinsel Town uses the lights and cameras to shed light on atrocities happening all around us that we might not notice because we’re already so distracted by our daily routines.

American Violet specifically tells the tale of an African American woman who is caught up in the crooked scheme of an overly ambitious district attorney. We learn through the film that the government awards municipalities that nab the most illegal drug offenders. The big problem is that the officials can perform mass raids on people that can be easily thrust through the system. Translation: the officers can go into the poorest areas of the town or city and round up as many perps as they please because the victims will be scared enough to do whatever it takes to be free. Even if that means confessing to a crime they didn’t commit.

Where’s the evidence, you say? Through Dee’s case we discover that little evidence is needed to obtain valid convictions. All the court needs is testimony from a witness naming the suspects and away to the prison they go.

Dee’s story is based on the real life ordeal experienced by Regina Kelly. The situation is alarming but it really isn’t shocking, is it? Corruption is still alive and well in those very institutions that are supposed to protect US citizens. In those places that fall off the radar like Harmony men like Beckett can easily do whatever they want because there’s no one to stop them. The affluent citizens of Harmony keep electing him because he keeps the streets quiet but they are ignorant (possibly) of the fact that their peace comes at the cost of harassment against poor blacks living on the other side of the tracks.

Aside from Dee’s trumped up drug charges she also has to deal with the stress of being a single mother to four little girls. Her former boyfriend (Xzibit) keeps attempting to force his way into the lives of their children but Dee wants no help from an alcoholic batterer with a hazardous girlfriend. Despite the challenges Dee is a very positive character who works, has her own apartment and has some spiritual values. I was also encouraged to see Dee’s healthy relationship with her mother (Alfre Woodard). The two have a very cool partnership when it comes to raising the kids though I was baffled at her decision to let that shifty boyfriend borrow his daughters for an afternoon. Otherwise, it’s a nice image.

The DVD includes a director’s commentary from director Tim Disney that I wish I had time to listen to but it just wasn’t in the cards this time. Maybe I’ll rent it again for Netflix someday. I would love to hear his insights and factoids about the situations in the film. I definitely want to hear his comments about sprinkling footage of the 2000 Presidential Campaign in the background of the main plot. I guess Governor Bush missed the memo about those drug raids? Hhmmm....... 

There is also a brief interview with Tim Disney, Nicole Beharie and Regina Kelly at the 2009 Telluride Film Festival where they share some thoughts about the film with the audience.

American Violet is a well done film with an incredible story. There are some people that will watch this and gasp in horror and shock at what Dee is put through by DA Beckett and his flunkies. There are others that will watch American Violet and totally relate to the character because they have felt the brutal hand of racism and/or police harassment firsthand. I have to admit to having an unsettling feeling after the credits rolled. I wonder how many more high ranking bullies like Beckett are still in power wreaking havoc on whoever he/she doesn’t like not because of a legitimate charge but because he/she can. When power corrupts will I have the courage to stand up to the injustice like Dee did or will I bow down in the hopes of being spared the master’s whip?