As a film enthusiast with a deep appreciation for historical dramas that shed light on underrepresented stories, I must say Tyler Perry’s “The Six Triple Eight” is a triumph. Having spent countless hours immersed in the annals of cinema, I can confidently assert that this film stands tall among Perry’s oeuvre, rivaling even his critically acclaimed “For Colored Girls.
For over two decades, Tyler Perry has devoted his professional journey to amplifying the voices of Black women on both stage and screen. With “The Six Triple Eight,” this self-made magnate – who transformed his accomplishments into a production studio located on an ex-US Army base outside Atlanta – has discovered a tale perfectly aligned with his talents and passions: recounting the extraordinary history made by a valiant band of 855 women of color during World War 2, as they became the first such unit to serve abroad.
Under the leadership of Maj. Charity Adams (portrayed memorably by Kerry Washington), the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion encountered challenges on two fronts. Initially, they experienced prejudice from their fellow citizens in America, which was later compounded by the risk of enemy attack upon being stationed overseas. As part of the Women’s Army Corps, these dedicated women were not combat soldiers or armed, but were entrusted with a crucial mission nonetheless: sorting through a massive pile-up of letters between American troops in Europe and their families back home.
Indeed, it was a group of African-American women who ensured that white soldiers received their mail during a crucial period. The film by Perry, “The Six Triple Eight,” beautifully showcases the significant role these women played in boosting troop morale amidst resistance from doubtful superiors. This work shares similarities with “Hidden Figures” and pays tribute to those who laid the groundwork for advancements across various fields. Among his works, this film stands out as one of Perry’s most substantial features; his 2010 ensemble drama, “For Colored Girls,” is the closest in terms of impact.
The captivating true tale signifies a major progress for Perry, propelled by the involvement of Susan Sarandon and Oprah Winfrey, who play minor yet impactful characters as Eleanor Roosevelt, first lady, and Mary McLeod Bethune, civil rights activist. However, the production retains a somewhat amateurish feel, characterized by direct dialogue and an unusual emphasis on expressing emotions through eyebrows – while Washington’s strength lies in her character’s ability to conceal her feelings.
Viewers will instantly perceive Perry’s ambitions and constraints in the initial battle scene, which takes place in Italy, powerfully portraying the harsh realities of war: A soldier is hit by enemy fire, somersaulting backwards into a trench as his body crumples, while explosions hurl other soldiers multiple feet. Although it doesn’t quite match the intense D-Day opening of “Saving Private Ryan,” it certainly makes an impact to start the movie in such a dramatic fashion, culminating with the digital destruction of an American aircraft.
Despite Abram David (Gregg Sulkin) being unrecognizable due to severe burns upon landing, a soldier tearfully retrieves a letter stained with blood from the fallen pilot’s jacket. This letter is addressed to his sweetheart in the United States. The story then focuses on Lena Derriecott King (Ebony Obsidian), who will guide us through this tale involving numerous characters, each with their unique motives for enlisting.
Following Abrams’ passing, Lena resolves to join up too. Despite the demanding nature of boot camp, it pales in comparison to the discrimination faced by Lena and her fellow Black female comrades within the Women’s Army Corps from their white counterparts. Journalists swarm, hoping to tarnish the military for integrating Black women, while male peers openly disrespect them. This atmosphere is set by Gen. Halt (Dean Norris), who demonstrates a condescending attitude from his position of authority. As a result, Adams, commanding officer of the 6888th, feels compelled to enforce discipline even more stringently.
Johnnie Mae, played by Shanice Williams (known for her role as Dorothy in The Wiz Live!), provides comedic moments without holding back. She isn’t shy about expressing her thoughts, such as when she grapples with fitting into an unsuitable uniform – one designed for the slender figure of a white woman rather than the curves of a Black woman, as noted by Adams. This small detail underscores the lack of thought given to African American soldiers serving their country, a theme that resonates throughout the film. Despite facing numerous injustices, Adams persists in seeking fair treatment.
When the 6888th unit is tasked with organizing and distributing mail, Adams finds herself in a challenging situation without official instructions or sufficient resources, including appropriate housing. This forces her to think creatively about how to handle multiple warehouses overflowing with over 17 million letters, which are as vast as the soundstages at Tyler Perry Studios. The women have only six months to demonstrate their abilities. It’s a massive and seemingly unachievable task, the unsuccessful completion of which could provide critics like Halt an opportunity to discredit women of color as uneducated or incapable.
Perry often portrays prejudice quite forcefully, which may overshadow the accomplishments of these many women. However, confronting bullies tends to be more attention-grabbing than devising creative ways to sort mail. Following the rejection of thousands of letters, Adams solicits ideas from her team, who suggest innovative methods for matching letters with their recipients, even when the addresses are damaged or destroyed by rodents. The 6888 unit may not be stationed at the front lines, but that doesn’t mean they’re safe; air raid drills and a harrowing incident involving an unexploded bomb underscore this point.
In the movie, there’s an impressive ensemble that could potentially kickstart a number of careers. However, one actor truly shines, outperforming everyone else: That’s Washington in her compelling portrayal of Adams, who manages to stand tall against condescending white authorities. In a scene reminiscent of Aaron Sorkin’s style, she uses the phrase “with all due respect” as if it were a weapon, followed by a bold, defiant retort, “Not over my dead body, sir!” Over the course of almost two hours, Perry’s script builds tension with numerous obstacles and resistance. Eventually, it culminates in a series of emotionally satisfying scenes where the women are acknowledged for their contributions — even featuring real archival footage from Michelle Obama praising them during the end credits.
Experience the unique viewpoint and journey of African-American soldiers, depicted in the grandiose cinematic style akin to “Apocalypse Now” and “Patton,” as Perry’s non-combat war movie is most impactful when viewed on the big screen. Regrettably, Netflix will only provide a limited Oscar-qualifying run before making it available on their platform two weeks later (from Dec. 20). Nevertheless, this inspiring true tale has the potential to reach a vast audience beyond Perry’s usual demographic, underscoring the significant aspect of American history that remains largely unlearned and untold.
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2024-12-06 22:17