Hate Crime

As an ordained Christian theologian, I was totally immersed in this movie. It portrays the self-righteous, selfishly focused Christians in their authentic mental attire. They put themselves in the place of God, issuing judgment on those who they decide are the unworthy. Little do they realize that judgment rests with God. The palpable hatred of the pastor in this film flows freely through the veins of far too many today. When the current occupant of the White House surrounds himself with several hundred "pastors" who profess a desire to "kill the queers", we know that we as a nation and a people have fallen further away from God: Not because of the gays, but because of them.

I had no intentions of watching this after reading the description. It sounded predictable and depressing. The many good reviews convinced me to give it a try. With the exception of the one big surprise, most of the film was predictable. People who are the most vehement in their hatred of gays are often fighting their own homosexuality. The sad part is these hate crimes are common. In the Book of Revelations God tells the those who hate in His name after they say they were only doing His work, "Depart from me, I never knew you." When I read this in my Bible I believe God is taking about the Fundamental, Evangelical cults of today that preach hate. I believe God has a special place in hell for them. They know nothing about God. God is love.

Overall this is not a bad movie, my objection to it is that it is just piling on more hate. I am gay, I grew up in the 60s and 70s, well before being gay was for cool kids. I know what hate crimes are, I know what they feel like, and I am well aware of the type of people they come from. Christians, as a group, are no more likely to commit a hate crime than any other group, and less so than some. Most Christians, just like most people, don't care one way or the other that someone is gay. Even if they are of the firm belief it is a sin, since they also understand no sin is worse than any other sin and everyone sins. Sure, there are the very vocal zealots, but they are rare and are disliked even amongst Christians. So maybe it's time we stop stereotyping Christians. Hate crimes are committed by individuals, by bigots and by the mentally disturbed, not becuase of a religion.

This is a powerful story of love and hate and evil. Brilliant writing and acting make for a very good portrayal of a possible real situation in a small town with an unchecked pastor. I loved the love that this story told of several families and neighbors that all contrasted with the evil of another family.A powerful movie for all adults to watch.

I don't believe there are many evil men of God, but some surely exist. The film and the characters are well crafted, and the plot is riveting. I think the gay couple were a rare example, but not inaccurate. I would recommend this film to anyone except the young audience. It is one of the few movies I would watch again. Thanks to the writers and crew who put this together. MASTERFUL!

Yes, this is a film about gay bashing and homophobia, but it could be a film about any hate crime, and unfortunately we are not at a loss for those these days... Brokeback Mountain left me cold, due to the lack of a backstory, its origin as a flimsy short story, its superficial script and the total lack of a sense of outrage. If you feel the same way, here is the antidote. First, I disagree with the reviewer who called this film "pat." Bigots and bullies are not complex creatures, they are simply sociopaths with rotten childhoods (and often psychopaths). Why is it that those who most loudly invoke Jesus (or other religious icon), and take the Bible (or other scripture) most literally, embody nothing of the teachings of their religious leader? Remember what Jesus said: "Even as you do it to the least of these, you do it unto me." So when a person commits gay bashing, rape, bullying, genocide, an act of racism or child abuse (or any other violent crime), it is as though it was done to Christ. But bigots don't see it that way... A gay couple - a veterinarian and an accountant - is celebrating six years of being together in a happy relationship filled with love and nurturing. They do not hate, are polite, accomplished, giving, show respect for others, and are optimists. Enter an angry, troubled fundamentalist bigot who wastes no time condemning them and telling them they are "going to hell." Shortly thereafter the relationship is shattered when the blond vet is brutally beaten with a baseball bat while walking his dog at night, and soon bleeds to death in his hospital bed. The bulk of the film centers around how the parents, in-laws and friends of the victim deal with finding and punishing the the perpetrator of this grisly, cowardly act.You are continually kept guessing. Everything in this film is excellent, from script and acting to photography and music. Whatever you think of gays or other minorities, this film seeks to ensure that you are never indifferent again to the outrage of violence. Regrettably there are some people who will not care about violence to others, because for them everything in life "is only about me."Remember the story of the man who saw his friends and neighbors systematically taken away. He did nothing because he didn't want to get involved. But then he adds... "And then they came for me." Look around you and do something.

Right now I'm having trouble because of cataracts that's why I'm having trouble filling out my reviews I usually like to keep up on my reviews but I haven't been able to thank you

Well plotted story. Emotionally powerful, but the resolution is unsatisfying because it fundamentally undermines its own message. I'd say more but it would contain spoilers.YESHomophobia is wrong.Hypocrisy is wrong.Violence is wrong.Murder is wrong.All demand justice in answer.I had the same discomfort at the end of "A Time to Kill" with Matthew McConaughey.

Believe the praise on the jacket, this very human and aching drama becomes a powerful examination of crime and perpetrator versus religion and the evil of discrimination, and it also punches your gut and shocks you senseless, has you glowering with rage over many clear miscarriages of justice and the inherent thumping of just how far certain preachers and church ministers will go in their mission to purge all that they feel is unholy, and in this instance it's the two personable and friendly gay couple who have the misfortune to be living next to a certain biblical basher's son.Unlike overblown, derivative and highly suspect and unrealistic appeals to cinematic glory that have no pertinent point whatsoever beyond gaining and absurd following for no reason, 'Hate Crime' frames its story with honest clarity, but swerves awesomely from point to point with dramatic intent when need serves, but also calling up many sensitive moments, not least the devastating sense of loss, pain and aching numbness of losing someone you to something completely without sense or ethical reasoning.It's a rare thing when a film evokes such strong, positive feelings in you where you raging at the screen over a hateful act of violence one moment, yet creasing up at a tender scene minutes later. The cast is deliberately non-Hollywood showy, and therefore perfect to put this very raw, thought-provoking and solid film across to the audience, which will hopefully embrace the film on DVD, as the cinema certainly wouldn't bother, and yet, it's the sort of thing that everybody should see.Of the most recognisable faces, Bruce Davison, as the hate-filled preacher, literally eats into you like acid, and you may have to remind yourself into believing people like this do exist in their hundreds (see the almost, but not quite as effective hate preacher in the far less good 'Red State', but more resounding in the extras introduced by filmmaker Kevin Smith for more evidence, plus the vile poster carriers and picketers from the star-studded 'The Laramie Project', the play and 2002 film by Moises Kaufman based on the Matthew Shepherd murder of 1998 where the lack of laws relating to it were loudly questioned). Cult horror pro Lin Shaye ('Snakes On A Plane', 'Insidious' and sequel) is a loyal neighbour nearby who loves the gay couple and couldn't be happier about their upcoming nuptials, who staunchly blows a fuse when it is derailed by a catastrophic evil. The couple themselves are charmingly played by two guys I've never seen before, but it's Bruce Abbott lookalike Seth Peterson who carries the weight of the film, and he elicits sympathy and compassion with assured eyes, and perfectly backed up by his partner's mother, Cindy Pickett, she'll have you cheering in a great moment when up against the mother of the hate preacher's son, who's played by Chad E Donella in what is his best film to date, and exudes complete understanding of the empty shell a mother of a truly loved child is left with it when she tells her husband to stop trying to help her-when he asks her what can he do to make things better (maybe he means emptying the dryer at that moment) she brims with sagacity as she so heart-breaking tells him: "I want my son back. Can you do that for me? No. The stop asking."And when the initially helpful investigating two cops are then separated by a senior cop, a rather loathsome performance by Giancarlo Esposisto, who shoehorns the good work already done for him and cuts and shapes the investigation in a more twisted way, rather exposing his own lack of empathy and understanding about homosexuality. He doesn't seem to hold back over belittling his female colleague either, adding blatant sexism to the mix, proving it isn't just a mainstay of bigoted white folk, as if far more often picked upon by filmmakers. Susan Blakely ( a Golden Globe Winner) is the dangerously obtuse mother of E. Donella, which perhaps is another hint at why such relationships endure for the worse to others.As things get precariously worse for the ones you would root for here (much like in life), a very apt and understanding plea for an antidote to failed justice rears its ever welcoming head, which should touch many of us. But 'Hate Crime' pulls no punches over offering happy ever afters, that would be an insult. There is no "happy ever after"-ask any partner or parent, or friend, but there IS an after, if it can be fought for, or endured.And endure this film you should, it's immaculate, and more challenging and far-reaching than many things made before it or since. Tommy Stovall has done an excellent job in barely more than three weeks, as have his cast, and his talent is spacious, having written, produced it and directed it. The sight of the couple's little dog running back to the house alone, blood on his leash should haunt you for a long while, as will the boring lac of extras. I'm told by one reviewer the US copy boasts a fair few things, but the UK is denied again. If I'd known this earlier, I would have waited. But whether you need extras or not, I'd Hate anyone else to commit a Crime to great low-budget thought-provoking film-making by not parting with under a fiver for a butchers.

This film has a made-for-TV feel to it, but don't let that put you off. It is well- filmed, and the acting is good considering that this is not a hugely well-known cast. I do remember Lin Shaye though, as Woody Harrelson's charming landlady in "Kingpin". The plot of "Hate Crime" involves a young, soon to be married gay couple. And who should move in to the house next door, but the son of an evangelical pastor. Inevitably, trouble follows soon after. The film raises a few interesting questions about the right to safety, to defend oneself from harm. But can such self defence go too far and ending up breaking the law ? A notable performance is that of Bruce Davison as the pastor. Powerful. I am not sure if this got a cinema release, but it certainly is worth a watch.

This is not an easy film to watch. Nor should it be. First time director Tommy Stovall could hardly have picked up a hotter potato than this one. Creating an objective, powerful account about contemporary bigotry and hatred has so far proved daunting to many far more better known names.Trey and Robbie are young, successful, and about to enter into a commitment ceremony, and Trey is also keen on the idea of a baby. The arrival of a new neighbor in the form of Chris (Chad Donella) upsets the apple cart.Chris's simmering resentment towards the young couple finds its roots in the bible fueled preaching of his father; an immaculately coiffed psychopath, played with bristling menace by Bruce Davison. A charismatic snake oil salesman of a preacher, Davison does both suave and sinister with equal aplomb. But his rantings are not the sole reason for his son's malignant mindset.This seems to erupt with dramatic consequences, when Trey is beaten almost senseless while out walking the dog at night. His subsequent death scene is hauntingly poignant, as partner Robbie (Seth Peterson) places a ring on Trey's finger as he lays in his casket. You would have to be made of stone to remain unmoved here. There was a lump in my throat the size of a football. Convinced that Chris is responsible, Robbie, together with Trey's distraught mother, take their story to the local police.Here a new level of prejudice unravels like successive layers of onion skin. The veteran detective in charge of the case sees little beyond the sexuality of the young couple, and the insurance policy Robbie stands to collect on. he chooses to ignore the obvious, and instead frames the facts in a language and order that suits his own, bigoted mindset. Night becomes day, and vice versa.Faced with this obvious intransigence and lack of empathy, Robbie embarks on his own quest to bring Trey's killer to justice. And this is where Seth Peterson really comes into his own.Rather than go all 'death wish' in a Seagal/Van Damme kind of style, Peterson's slow, painful descent from loving partner to vengeful firebrand is beautifully nuanced. His pain and sense of loss bleeds all over the screen. Similarly, the parallel journey of Trey's mother- from disbelief to decisive action, is incredibly moving, and all too believable.The plot unfolds slowly, then twists sharply and throws in some unexpected sucker punches as the story slides towards its surprising denouement. There is no true happy ending- nobody comes out of this clutching bouquets of flowers. The killer's actions create two sets of victims, as his own docile, obedient family are eventually just as overwhelmed by events as Robbie and Trey's distraught parents.No, it's not an easy film to watch. But it is a very brave one. Some might argue that the characters seem stereotypical at times. Maybe so. But we are dealing with such an extreme story line here-one that no film maker has picked up on since- that such broad brush strokes are understandable, and maybe even necessary to bring home the film's salient points.The whole production was shot in an incredible twenty-one days, from start to finish. Davison is sublimely charming and creepy as, immaculately suited and booted, he spews out his torrent of hate. It's like an oil slick that his docile congregation laps up with pathetic, unquestioning gratitude.The pastor's apple pie wife comes across as a kind of Tammy Bakker/Stepford Wives clone; a woman of stunning, almost incredulous stupidity. A real life moral black hole.Watch, too, for a star turn from the wonderful Lin Shaye, who goes in to bat for 'her boys' in a style that is part Anna Madrigal, part Joan of Arc. It's a feisty show of acting bravado that has both heart and guts.Brian J. Smith as the lovable, doomed Trey is fecklessly alluring, and it is impossible to remain unmoved by his demise. But, almost inevitably, this is a film that belongs to Seth Peterson.His journey from helpful, happy-go-lucky neighbor to vengeful vigilante is like a personal road to Calvary. On top of the devastating loss of his partner, we see his obvious belief in the fairness and impartiality of justice, as well as his innate faith in humanity, stripped as bare and as cold as a tree in winter. His angst as he tries to balance the storm whirling in his head is smartly done. It could so easily have tripped over into mawkish melodrama here; Robbie's sanity seems to hang by a thread and yes, you do question it. Seth Peterson gives a beautifully articulated performance that ties together this whole brave, unheralded project and makes it as potent now as it was seven years ago, when filming began.So, no; Hate Crime is not an easy film to watch. But that is no excuse for not buying it and doing exactly that, especially when a brave, first time director and a first class cast and crew have put themselves on the line to deliver such a thought provoking, heart wrenching piece of work such as this.

another great film,fast delivery a great story line.many thanks.the actrs had a very sensitive story line to follow just as in every day life you alywas find biggots.

good film