Burden

Name: Burden
Genre: Drama
Released: February 28, 2020
Duration: 117 min
Rating: 57
Cast: Andrea Riseborough, Anna Colwell, Austin Hébert, Charles Green, Crystal R. Fox

2020

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Mixed or average reviews based on 17 Critic Reviews

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Generally favorable reviews based on 10 Ratings

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7.0	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 10 Ratings

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Burden

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Movie Details & Credits

Film & TV House | Release Date: February 28, 2020 | R

Starring: Andrea Riseborough, Anna Colwell, Austin Hébert, Charles Green, Crystal R. Fox, Dexter Darden, Forest Whitaker, Garrett Hedlund, Jason Davis, Tess Harper, Tom Wilkinson, Usher Raymond

Summary: When a museum celebrating the Ku Klux Klan opens in a small South Carolina town, the idealistic Reverend Kennedy (Forest Whitaker) resolves to do everything in his power to prevent long-simmering racial tensions from boiling over. But the members of Kennedy’s congregation are shocked to discover that his plan includes sheltering Mike BurdenWhen a museum celebrating the Ku Klux Klan opens in a small South Carolina town, the idealistic Reverend Kennedy (Forest Whitaker) resolves to do everything in his power to prevent long-simmering racial tensions from boiling over. But the members of Kennedy’s congregation are shocked to discover that his plan includes sheltering Mike Burden (Garrett Hedlund), a Klansman whose relationships with both a single-mother (Andrea Riseborough) and a high-school friend (Usher Raymond) force him to re-examine his long-held beliefs. After Kennedy helps Mike leave behind his violent past, the Baptist preacher finds himself on a collision course with manipulative KKK leader Tom Griffin (Tom Wilkinson). In the face of grave threats to himself and his family, the resolute Kennedy bravely pursues a path toward peace, setting aside his own misgivings in the hopes of healing his wounded community. … Expand

Director: Andrew Heckler

Genre(s): Drama

Rating: R

Runtime: 117 min

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Metascore

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Critic Reviews

IndieWire Kate Erbland

As Burden, Garrett Hedlund astonishes in a nuanced portrait of a man resistant to change, until he finally comes to understand that hatred is literally killing him. Read full review

Amy Nicholson

Hedlund’s humble, hard-to-love performance makes the aptly named Burden work as both a portrait of one weak-minded man, and as a study of the ideas people carry without questioning why. Read full review

Movie Nation Roger Moore

Mar 14, 2020

Burden is still a movie of faith with more virtues than failings, more ambition than merely pandering and more topicality than we’d care to admit. Read full review

Jeannette Catsoulis

Feb 27, 2020

Though the themes of Burden feel uncomfortably current, their execution is leaden and dismayingly artless. Read full review

Barry Hertz

Jun 23, 2020

Typically, Whitaker can lend the sloppiest assignment some much-needed dignity, but here he gives far more than the easy and lazy script ever demands, so much so that you begin to feel sorry that he took the time and energy to do so. Read full review

RogerEbert.com Brian Tallerico

Feb 28, 2020

There are elements here, most of them embedded in another great physical performance from Garret Hedlund, that keep Burden from completely sinking into the Carolina mud. Read full review

The Guardian Jordan Hoffman

This movie is about as subtle as a sledgehammer, with no shortage of cringeworthy moments and an uninteresting lead performance. Read full review

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User Reviews

MartinOptLand

Mar 20, 2021

Convincing story about commitment to break through racial barriers, including the anger and wounds in oneself and the possibility for radical change

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

Jjbon75

Mar 16, 2020

Amazing acting and setting. Great story... Heartfelt and everyone in USA needs to see it!

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

TVJerry

Feb 11, 2021

Garrett Hedlund plays a Klan member in South Carolina, who’s outlook is changed after he becomes involved with a single mother and her son. Forest Whitaker is the preacher who leads the protest against the KKK museum opening in their small town. He also offers a healing hand to the errantGarrett Hedlund plays a Klan member in South Carolina, who’s outlook is changed after he becomes involved with a single mother and her son. Forest Whitaker is the preacher who leads the protest against the KKK museum opening in their small town. He also offers a healing hand to the errant young man. There are inevitable community clashes and violence, literally black and white conflicts. There's not much original in concept, but the direction and performances are well executed all around. What makes the film worth watching is the compelling story of redemption farmed with Hedlund’s physically remarkable, emotionally nuacnced performance.

NOTE: Since this is based on a true story, there are brief interviews with the actual characters during the credits.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

KenR

May 27, 2021

Burden – Learning Life Lessons
Had heard nothing about this movie but gave it a go and pleased I stayed with it. It’s a rough slog at times with its messy hand-held camera style and coarse language script, but obviously, the writer/ director felt this conveyed the message - as close to theBurden – Learning Life Lessons
Had heard nothing about this movie but gave it a go and pleased I stayed with it. It’s a rough slog at times with its messy hand-held camera style and coarse language script, but obviously, the writer/ director felt this conveyed the message - as close to the facts the story is based on. Forest Whitaker (The Last King Of Scotland) is highly impressive as the mid-1990s Baptist Reverend, earnestly out to prove that love is more powerful than hate. He offers safe shelter - in his own home, to a violent ex KKK member and family, inviting a serious situation with his own family as well as the town’s angry KKK citizens. First-time writer/director Andrew Heckler took on a difficult task with this serious subject and at times it shows but the message is certainly an important one. It’s quite interesting to see British Award winner, Tom Wilkinson as the nasty KKK leader - while also credited as one of the film’s producers! He obviously felt strongly about its racial themes. It features a strong music score and performances are uniformly good.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

JLuis_001

Feb 5, 2021

The story has good intentions but a racist changing his ways, helped by African-American characters who are only there to build him up as a better person, is basically a different formula than the white savior, so, it's problematic to say the least.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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