Director: Alan Parker
Starring: Willem Dafoe, Gene Hackman and Frances McDormand
‘A Captivating Classic’
Not many actors that achieved fame several years ago are as celebrated as Willem Dafoe. Ever since his rise to recognition in the 1980’s, Dafoe has become a beloved icon. Whether it is detectives investigating murders, psychotic killers or green goblins, Dafoe has portrayed several strong characters. Arguably, Dafoe’s finest strength as an actor has always been his strong commitment to his craft. He is one of those rare actors that has always had the talent for stealing the show in supporting roles which have limited screen-time. Even when he isn’t a main focus of a movie, Dafoe has often left a lasting impression. Although he is most well-known for his iconic role as Green Goblin in the Spider-Man movies, Dafoe has proven he can make engaging movies in every genre. Throughout his long-lasting career, Dafoe has made several unforgettable movies which are worth talking about.
I’m a huge fan of Dafoe and adore all the films which he has created in his career. However, “Mississippi Burning” is definitely my favourite. Released in 1988, Alan Parker’s movie offered a powerful portrait of detectives investigating a mystery. Packed with bold production, strong storytelling and phenomenal acting, it’s one of the best murder mystery movies ever made. At the centre of it all is an incredible performance by Willem Dafoe, who portrays a detective that investigates a mystery. Ultimately, what makes “Mississippi Burning” a classic is its universal appeal. Unlike most murder mysteries, the film tackles themes that everyone would relate to. A mesmerizing masterpiece, there are several strong reasons why “Mississippi Burning” is a movie worth seeing.
Set in 1960’s Mississippi, “Mississippi Burning” tells the story of detectives investigating grim mysteries. Willem Dafoe portrays Agent Alan Ward, a short-tempered detective with talent for investigating murders. Assisted by partner Agent Rupert Anderson (Gene Hackman), Alan has always excelled at investigating murders in a town experiencing tensions. However, Alan’s life drastically changes when he is given tasks to investigate a gruesome murder. The murder of civil rights workers in a town facing barriers of segregation cause Alan to face a great deal of tension. As all the odds are stacked against his favour, Alan begins to wonder whether it’s possible to investigate a murder. Facing a grim murder mystery, Alan questions a lifelong love for Mississippi.
Alan Parker is fascinated with the themes of murder mystery. A fantastic filmmaker, Parker has often made engaging movies about lives of people in danger. With “Mississippi Burning”, however, he took on his first Mississippi murder mystery. It was the filmmaker’s first attempt to capture the lives of detectives investigating an awful murder in Mississippi, but he succeeded. Through captivating cinematography, Parker captures detectives that investigate murder in town of Mississippi. Evoking Roman Polanski’s “Chinatown”, Parker effectively uses point-of-view shots to capture the painful hardship that detectives go through. For instance, POV shots enhance the murder discovery scene. During this memorable scene, Agents Alan and Rupert investigate murders committed in Mississippi. POV shots are tricky techniques to use in films. Sam Raimi’s “Spider-Man” claimed POV shots enhance comic-book movies. Nevertheless, it works immensely. Through captivating visuals, Parker captures tensions that detectives which inspect murder are facing.
Another strong aspect of “Mississippi Burning” that deserves appreciation is the production. From a technical perspective, the film is very well-made. Parker’s decisions to shoot the film in real-life locations across Mississippi is risky but it works immensely. For instance, the real-life locations in Mississippi enhance the crime scene. During this unforgettable scene, Alan and Rupert discover evidence of dead bodies at a gruesome murder. Through using strong real-life locations across Mississippi, Parker crafts an engaging murder mystery. Moreover, the musical score is marvellous. Trevor Jones’ music is key toward the success of the movie. It gives the film a tense atmosphere capturing the heavy burden that detectives investigating murder bear. Through phenomenal production, Parker captures detectives conducting a crime investigation.
Storytelling is one of the several reasons why “Mississippi Burning” is a murder mystery that is compelling. The movie is beautifully written, and effectively uses silence to capture lives of detectives investigating violence. For instance, silence enhances the murder aftermath scene. During this memorable scene, Alan and Rupert investigate murder that comes with disastrous consequences. Through silence, Parker builds a murder mystery audiences can easily relate to. Silence is a tricky technique to use in films. As Robert Eggers’ “Nosferatu” claimed clearly, silence enhances vampire films. Mary Harron’s “American Psycho” demonstrated that silence enhances movies about psychotic killers. That being said, it works tremendously in this movie. Through a strong screenplay, Parker captures detectives inspecting murders that come with a pride to pay.
One appreciates amazing performances.
Willem Dafoe delivers one of his finest career performances as Alan Ward. Dafoe achieved appreciation for playing menacing villains in comic-book films. With “Mississippi Burning”, however, he took on his most complex role. It isn’t easy to portray a detective investigating murders in a small town in Mississippi, but he succeeded immensely. This is the actor unlike you have ever seen him before: intense, bold and vulnerable in his most iconic role. Dafoe has often excelled at portraying heroes under pressure, and “Mississippi Burning” proved his strengths as an actor. With bold expressions, he captures the angst, desperation and grief of a detective planning murder investigations. It’s an exceptional performance by one of the finest actors today.
While the movie is mainly a stunning showcase for Willem Dafoe, the supporting cast is stellar and also worthy of recognition. Gene Hackman is great, capturing dedications of a detective determined to conduct a murder investigation. Frances McDormand is magnificent, bringing the emotional dilemma faced by a woman that is burdened. Lastly, R. Lee Ermey is worthy of appreciations. As a courageous commander, he is unforgettable.
Finally, “Mississippi Burning” would deserve recognition of everyone for capturing murder that is terrifying. Unlike most murder mystery movies, it tackles strong themes everyone will relate to. It discusses strong themes including anxiety, mental health and trauma that would resonate with everyone. Viewers don’t need to be familiar with the history of crimes in town of Mississippi to appreciate it. It delivers a strong message about health that will resonate with everyone. Therefore, “Mississippi Burning” is one of those rare murder mystery films which everyone would adore.
Fans of Willem Dafoe would definitely enjoy “Mississippi Burning” and so would movie-goers seeking meaningful entertainment. A mesmerizing murder mystery masterpiece, it honours an actor with a strong legacy.
Nearly 40 years following the release of a groundbreaking film about detectives in Mississippi with gruesome murders to investigate, it’s a riveting reminder about a commemorated actor that hasn’t lost his abilities to captivate portraying memorable characters in unforgettable movies which audiences always appreciate.
5/5 stars
The Film Buff 