Jeffrey T.Verespej: Prom Night in Mississippi

Amongst the cries of a generation reaching adulthood that is not civically engaged, is overly entitled (not completely their fault), and more, there is a shining hope – progressive beliefs for social justice and the ability to accept and love each other for their persons, not their color, creed, or lifestyles. That hope was driven home in Prom Night in Mississippi.

The story is surprising – a small town in Mississippi (home of Morgan Freeman) still has parent-organized white proms and black proms. Until 2008. After having been previously rebuked, Freeman once again offers to pay for the prom if it’s integrated, and the school board condones the students to do so this time. Throughout the movie you meet students, parents, and administrators who candidly talk about racism, friends, love, and of course, prom activities.

Freeman is wonderful in his candid conversations with the camera and students – his grace and speech in real life is as poignant and direct as his many terrific scripted performances. He brings an extra sense of weight to the entire scene. However, the real stars in the story and the movie are the students who open up to the camera (it helps that the director lived there for four months) about their lives and their town. They see their future with enthusiasm and are bothered by parents who won’t allow them to be with each other. A fair amount of drama naturally occurs as some parents still plan a white-only prom and force their children to go, a few skirmishes in the school break out, and everyone is nervous walking in. However, humor and anticipation carry the day throughout as the students make light of their situations, themselves, and their community. These seniors in high school become your friends throughout the movie as you see them dance, buy outfits, text (a lot), get emotional, and even worry about how to handle two dates to prom – you cannot help but love them and want them in your life to laugh and cry with them. Laughter helps break down the walls of racism, and a prom ushers them into a new day.