Love meets ugly racism head on
THE title of the film Burden refers to its central character Mike Burden (Garrett Hedlund), a paid-up member of the Ku Klux Klan in the town of Laurens, South Carolina.
The year is 1996.
His mentor is Tom Griffin (Tom Wilkinson), who treats Mike like a son.
Mike works as a repo man. When he’s sent to repossess the television of single mother Judy (Andrea Riseborough) a spark ignites.
But Mike is confronted by the fact that Judy’s son Franklin (Taylor Gregory) is best friends with a young African American (Devin Bright) and when Judy is invited to Griffin’s place she’s confronted by the really ugly racism at the heart of the family.
Meanwhile, the local minister Reverend Kennedy (Forest Whitaker), is appalled that the old cinema, which had a history of segregation, has been taken over by the local chapter of the Ku Klux Klan and turned into a museum of the Klan’s history and also a redneck shop. Ugly stuff indeed. Mike finds himself torn between his love for Judy and his loyalty to the Klan.
What will he decide and what will be the consequences?
Burden is based on true events that took place in South Carolina. It was written by Andrew Heckler who also directed and sometimes his earnestness is a bit obvious.
But it’s anchored by Garrett Hedlund’s performance as this shambling redneck who knows no better.
The title is significant apart from Mike’s name because it references the burden he actually carries growing up poor, in the midst of violence and addiction with very little education.
Andrea Riseborough is such a fine actor, you just wish the wig maker had been a little less extreme.
And Tom Wilkinson, another fine British actor, carries the ugly role of Griffin with a modicum of dignity.
Tracking Mike’s journey is often confronting, often violent and often shocking.