Garrett Hedlund and Forrest Whitaker are great in 'Burden,' but the film lacks impact

As the saying goes, love conquers all — even racism. 

That is the case in "Burden," a film directed by Andrew Heckler based on a true story. 

"Burden" delivers a passionate performance from Garrett Hedlund, who portrays the real-life Mike Burden, an orphan raised within the Klu Klux Klan. In 1996, Mike and his brothers-in-hate turned a closed movie theater into the Redneck Shop and KKK Museum. 

The film begins at the grand opening of the shop and the unrolling of a confederate flag outside its front door. Coincidentally David Kennedy, a pastor in the small South Carolina town, watches the men hang the flag — remembering his uncle was also hung by the group.

David is portrayed by Forest Whitaker, who does what he does best: offers a fantastic embodiment of his character. David and several community members hold peaceful protests outside the shop every day after it opens. 

Mike meets Judy (Andrea Riseborough) and instantly falls in love with her and her young son. He continues his antics as a Klansman, although Judy does not agree with his hatred. 

Klan members urinate on a black woman walking home from work and Mike brutally beats up a black man who drove too slowly. These events escalate tensions in the community and a protest turns into a face-off between the Klan members and protesters.  

Mike is then ordered by his father figure and Klan leader, Tom Griffin (Tom Wilkinson), to get a rifle and shoot the pastor from the roof of the shop. Through the riffle's viewfinder, Mike sees Judy's son in the crowd and drops the weapon.

Judy forces Mike to make a choice: her or the Klan. He chooses love and is berated by the Klan for leaving. Judy loses her house and Mike loses his job.

With nowhere to go, they turn to David, who takes them into his home. Mike never returns to the Klan and with a turn of events, the pastor ends up with the greatest reward. 

"Burden" does a great job of giving the viewer a look at the lives of those in the KKK beyond their hatred, but it misses the mark on making an impact on the viewer.

Heckler tries to get us into the mind of Mike, who was born into this world and raised as the Klan's attack dog. But the story of the reason why Mike decided to leave the Klan could have been stronger.

Mike had lifelong ties with the Klan, it was all he knew, he beat a man nearly to death for it, but was it really as simple as love that changed the mentality he grew up with?

The film briefly mentions his life as a child, but focusing on Mike's change of mind and heart a little more would have given the audience something to really leave the theater with.

But what really carries this film is the incredible acting. Hedlund and Whitaker's performances in this film are strikingly similar to the real people they portray. 

'Burden,' 3 stars

Director: Andrew Heckler

Cast: Garrett Hedlund, Forest Whitaker, Tom Wilkinson, Usher Raymond

Rating: R for disturbing violent content, and language throughout including racial epithets.

Note: At Harkins Camelview at Fashion Square.

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Elizabeth Montgomery is a producer for The Arizona Republic, azcentral.com and the Arizona Storytellers. Reach her at emontgomery@azcentral.com or 602-444-8764. Follow her on Twitter @emontnews. Support local journalism. Subscribe to azcentral.com today.