The Hate U Give (2018): The Film

This film was superb and a good transference of the book to the big screen.
The film is rather simple and yet so utterly complex, Starr Carter (Amandla Stenberg) witnesses the police shooting of her childhood friend, Khalil (Algee Smith).
It was during a routine traffic stop, though I will argue that if an officer (Drew Starkey) pulls over someone for failing to use a turn signal, they wouldn't get anything else done (I do wish more would use their signals, it would make driving slightly less stressful) and Khalil doesn't take things seriously. And when he reaches back in for a hairbrush, the white officer shoots him, he dies minutes later without any attempt to save his life. The officer is surprised when a gun isn't discovered on the scene but a hairbrush instead.
When Starr is taken in for questioning, she isn't asked much about the shooting itself but instead is asked about Khalil's life, which was tragically cut short. She does everything right, she testifies, gives a passionate TV interview but it isn't enough. The officer is not charged with a crime. And that's unacceptable. No murder like that is justified. Yes, the officer was just trying to do his job and yes, he probably felt threatened but a young man didn't have to wind up died because of it. The officer couldn't have demanded that Khalil drop whatever it is or tased him instead?
Fortunately for Starr, she does have a good support system with strong parents, still in love after a rough start to their relationship, Maverick (Russell Hornsby) spent three years in prison, but since then he's cleaned up his act and Lisa (Regina Hall), who fights for Starr. Her boyfriend, Chris (KJ Apa) is pretty supportive too, though he hates when she shuts him out of her life. But he didn't break up with her when she wasn't ready to have sex with him and for that, I actually gives him a lot of credit.
But Starr's life isn't always easy, living in the inner city with few options for the youth, many turn to dealing drugs as a source of income and King (Anthony Mackie) rules the roost. This adds another layer to the film but at least this one as a happier ending. King goes down for arson, while he is probably guilty of far more serious crimes.
The largest difference from the book to the film is that in the film, they stay in the city while in the book, they move to the suburbs. I liked the film's ending better.
The film is solid, with an excellent, pitch-perfect cast. Everyone is great, with award-winning performances, especially Stenberg. The set is great, with realistic houses and environments, flawless editing and music. The only problem is how did everyone know that Maverick's store was on fire? I'm glad he knew or else Starr and her older half-brother, Seven (Lamar Johnson) wouldn't have survived and they're the good guys.
Still, this film forces you to think, and hope that change is on the horizon because this cannot keep happening. Khalil was so much more than his death and deserves to be remembered for living, not for his untimely and unnecessary death. Grade: A-