American Violet

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American Violet

PG-13

2009

1h 42m

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

75%

Tomatometer

57 Reviews

79%

Popcornmeter

10,000+ Ratings

After an overzealous district attorney's drug bust lands her in jail, single mother Dee Roberts (Nicole Beharie) must face an agonizing choice: Plead guilty and go home a convicted felon, or fight the charges and risk a lengthy prison sentence. Despite her mother's (Alfre Woodard) advice and risking everything, innocent Dee chooses to fight the Texas criminal justice system, joined by an ACLU attorney (Tim Blake Nelson) and a former narcotics cop (Will Patton).

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Critics Consensus

Though its politics are as obvious as its outcome, American Violet is an earnest docudrama about the justice system with a powerful performance from Nicole Behairie.

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Candice Frederick

Reel Talk Online

09/12/2017

A

It's beautifully told, passionate and sensitive to the true story and the victims that lived it.

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John Hartl

Seattle Times

10/15/2009

3/4

While it may be about as subtle as a swinging sledgehammer, it does leave its mark.

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Tom Long

Detroit News

05/15/2009

C+

A well-played if too-familiar story of oppression and injustice.

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Dan DiNicola

The Daily Gazette (Schenectady, NY)

02/03/2018

At the center of the drama is Nicole Beharie, who inhabits her role as a woman unjustly maligned with intelligence, conviction and regal sense of pride.

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Kelly Vance

East Bay Express

08/18/2011

Less a social-problem film than a drama of personal courage.

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Michael Dequina

TheMovieReport.com

08/31/2009

3.5/4

Nicole. Beharie. Remember the name, for if her stunning lead turn is any indication, huge things are in the future.

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Frances H

05/20/2015

Inspiring story of a brave woman who faces a corrupt justice system and triumphs. We need more people like her and movies like this one to call attention to what needs to be changed.

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04/25/2015

Excellent movie, as an attorney can say this is one of more accurate legal dramas I have seen. Sorry I didn't hear more about this when released but a very powerful movie and still very timely. Great acting!

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11/17/2013

A brutal look at the violence and injustice of the American way of life which is passionately filmed. The actors bring the raw emotions to the screen with heartache. The ignorant superiority of the white against the black in this true American lifestyle movie comes across strongly showing that Americans are the worst people and society on earth and should be corrected. Nibbles: Chocolate Orange Cake.

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10/18/2013

Wish I'd Seen this Sooner! This true story was told very well and translated well to the screen. Nicole Beharie's performance was fascinating! I've seen a lot of her work recently and some of her other roles sort of blend because of their similarities. This one however definitely stood out. Not simply because it's a bit of a departure from her other characters, but also because of her performance. I was a bit skeptical she was going to make this character believable; by the end I'd all but forgotten it was actually Nicole Beharie on stage. Alfre Woodward was, of course, flawless in this movie. Xzibit's performance surprised me a bit--he was GREAT! Not too over-the-top, not too flat; his work was just right. Films like this can easily drag on, or be a bit slow, often times playing almost like documentaries. This was definitely a film. One I could watch again. Great Film!

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08/07/2013

I enjoyed this depiction of the justice system gone wrong and a fight to fix it .The resolution at the end seemed a little too swift and easy, but otherwise a good picture.

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10/26/2012

Seems way too fictional.

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Tim Disney

Director

Nicole Beharie

Dee Roberts

Will Patton

Sam Conroy

Alfre Woodard

Alma Roberts

Tim Blake Nelson

David Cohen

Michael O'Keefe

Calvin Beckett

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31%

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Synopsis

After an overzealous district attorney's drug bust lands her in jail, single mother Dee Roberts (Nicole Beharie) must face an agonizing choice: Plead guilty and go home a convicted felon, or fight the charges and risk a lengthy prison sentence. Despite her mother's (Alfre Woodard) advice and risking everything, innocent Dee chooses to fight the Texas criminal justice system, joined by an ACLU attorney (Tim Blake Nelson) and a former narcotics cop (Will Patton).

Director: Tim Disney
Producer: Bill Haney
Screenwriter: Bill Haney
Distributor: Samuel Goldwyn Company
Production Co: Uncommon Productions LLC
Rating: PG-13 (Thematic Material|Language|Drug References|Violence)
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Apr 17, 2009, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Mar 22, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $552.9K
Runtime: 1h 42m

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