Now Showing: Hillside

Hillside
Genre: Drama
Director: Barry Jenkins
Writer: Jimmy Ellis
Cast: Alex Hibbert, Ben Foster, Shameik Moore, Regina King, Jahi Winston, Zoe Kazan, Kofi Siriboe, Tyler James Williams, Tom Hughes

Plot: Up Bright and early it’s a school day for Deshawn Bernard (Alex Hibbert), he lies in bed and stares at the ceiling without even a thought of moving. Voiceover: “Hillside. A Place of Broken Dreams, dangerous gangs, abandoned mothers and…” Deshawn looks over at a photo of him and two others in a happy picture, the others, Tyris Bernard (Tyler James Williams) and Jaheim Bernard (Shameik Moore). Voiceover: “…Fallen Brothers.” Deshawn slips around his room and slips into any clothing he can find. The room is covered with Basketball posters. He straps on his backpack and kisses the top of his fingers and presses them against the image before he leaves. Deshawn heads for the kitchen, and stops right outside the door, he peeps around the corner where he hears his mother Tonya (Regina King) in an argument with his brother Jaheim, Jaheim is telling his mother that he is the man of the house now, he will get money and support the family. Tonya is looking at the newspaper and sobs. Jaheim puts his arm around her. She wipes the tears and says she has to go to work. She hops up and leaves. Jaheim grabs the newspaper and storms off, not before throwing the paper in the bin. Deshawn goes to the bin and picks up the newspaper. On the frontpage is an article with his brother Tyris’ picture with the title, “Man Killed by Police, No Weapon Found.” He rips the article out of the paper.

Deshawn walks along a sidewalk with his best friend Byron aka Spike (Jahi Winston), on their way home from school. They talk about how they can’t wait till school is out, and they can school all the other kids on the basketball court. They wonder who they will play for when they go pro. Spike then brings up that his brother told him that Deshawn’s brother will be leading the Hillside Boyz (The Local Gang) with him. Spike says that they will be Hillside Boyz leaders next. The two hoot and chant Hillside Boyz!

Deshawn is on the basketball court alone, he is practicing his shots, he is really good, never misses. A cop car cruises past. Inside the car is Officer Chance Montgomery (Ben Foster). Chance surveys the neighbourhood as dispatch is communicating with other officers in the background. Chance slows down almost to a full stop to watch Deshawn as he makes one perfect shot after another. Deshawn is ready to take another shot when a Flashback crosses his mind. Flashback: Deshawn is even smaller than he is now. His older brother Tyris stands behind him and they both look up to the basketball hoop. Tyris is teaching him how to shoot properly, to aim for the backboard. Deshawn sinks his first ever shot as the two high five. Flashback Ends

Deshawn’s eyes fill, before tears can fall he throws the ball in range, he falls down to the ground and sobs all alone. Chance pulls the car over and retrieves the ball, he dribbles the ball, with no experience over to Deshawn. Deshawn, defensively jumps to his feet and gazes at the cop. Chance asks if the ball is Deshawn’s (Knowing it is). Deshawn doesn’t answer but looks at Chance with Rage. Chance introduces himself to Deshawn and Deshawn says his name. Chance tries to talk to him, but Deshawn snaps asking what he is doing in this part of town, Deshawn says the people of Hillside don’t like cops. Deshawn turns to walk away and it hits Chance that he is Tyris Bernard’s brother. Chance apologises as Deshawn turns back around and yells at Chance. Deshawn mentions that when he makes it big in the NBA he will change Hillside forever. Chance asks if he is any good to which Deshawn takes the ball and without hesitatio0n turns and hits the jump shot. Chance wants him to do it again, with defence. Deshawn wants cash if he gets it in, Chance whips out a $20 bill. Deshawn dribbles the ball between his legs like an absolute pro. Chance comes at him to block him from making the shot. He manages to push him back to the other side of the court. Trapped, Deshawn takes the shot. The two watch as the ball fly through the air and lands perfect into the basket. Chance is blown away. Deshawn holds out his hand for the money. Deshawn takes the money and walks away.

Chance arrives home to his rich gated off community. He walks into his bedroom, where his wife Kristen (Zoe Kazan) is lying in bed waiting for Chance to come home. Chance hops into the bed and is immediately chastised for not telling her he was patrolling Hillside, she says it is one of the most dangerous places in America. He says that it’s his job, she has none of it and is furious. He gets out and walks to the kitchen, Kristen follows. He tells her all about Deshawn. She knows the last name and says that Tyris had a gun, that’s what the news said. Chance shakes his head saying he didn’t. He says that he looked Tyris up, he had promise, aspirations, he finished college and was an aspiring architect, just because he grew up in that neighbourhood doesn’t mean he deserved to die, no-one does. Kristen says something Chance doesn’t like about Tyris. Chance snaps at her he says that he is a cop, he wants to help the innocent not just stand by and watch. She is stunned into silence. Chance storms off into the bedroom.

Chance is too awake to sleep. Kristen comes in. She climbs in and carefully cuddles up to Chance. Chance wraps his arm around her. She apologises and knows that he needs to help them, she just wants him to be careful. Chance plants a kiss on her lips. Kristen closes her eyes but Chance’s eyes stare at the ceiling.

Chance parks the cruiser on the side of the road. He watches Deshawn and his friends play a game of ball. Deshawn goes to take a shot when he sees Chance’s car. He tosses the ball to Spike and tells him to keep playing. Deshawn jogs to the cop car and Chance gets out. The two shake hands. From a distance, Spike and a few of the other boys watch in disbelief. Deshawn checks out Chance’s car. And asks if he can get in, Chance lets him. The two hop in the cruiser. Deshawn is amazed by all the gear. He asks Chance what else he gets as an officer, Chance tells him and as he says gun, Deshawn asks him for it, he obviously doesn’t give him it. Chance says that he has heard the Hillside Boyz are bad men. Deshawn says they protect them from the police, Chance is shocked they aren’t all bad. Deshawn has a smile and looks at Chance, “I Know.” Deshawn looks around, he picks up an officer ball cap. He asks if he can have it, Chance nods. Deshawn sports the hat. He checks himself out in the sun visor mirror. Dispatch comes on and Chance answers it, gunshots were heard not too far from where they are. He tells Deshawn to stay put he has to go. Deshawn hops out. Chance flips on his lights and bolts down the road out of sight. Deshawn puts on his ball cap. Spikes runs over and gets in Deshawn’s face, he calls him a sellout. Spike says that that cop killed Tyris, Deshawn knows he didn’t, Spike says they are all the same anyway. They have a big argument. Spike says that if he is a Hillside Boy he needs to get rid of the hat. Deshawn snatches the hat off his head. The boys watch as he crosses the park to a trash can. A hint of guilt plops on his face before he shoves it in. HE heads back to Spike and they continue playing Basketball.

Deshawn is doing homework on his bed when he hears sirens. A reminder. He opens the window and hops out. Deshawn creeps across the park to the trash can from earlier. He pulls out the police cap now covered with food and trash. He hoses off the cap at home. Tonya walks into the laundry room. She looks worn down and nearly defeated. She gets read to open the dryer when Deshawn runs in. He says that he can do it and tells his mom to go to bed, she needs the rest. Deshawn waits until she’s out of sight. He pulls the clothes from the dryer. He pulls the police ball cap out of the mix. Deshawn pulls out a shoe box from under his bed. Inside is a gun, the news article of his brother Tyris and a large fold of cash. He places the ball cap into the box and closes it shut.

Chance is at his locker when another officer, Thomas (Tom Hughes), walks in. Thomas says he doesn’t know how he patrols Hillside. Chance mentions Deshawn and Thomas doesn’t like it. Thomas says Mark the man that killed Tyris is getting off. He won’t be charged. Chance is furious. Thomas says that it was self-defence, Chance gets angrier saying there was no weapon, how is it self-defence. They go back and forth arguing about it. Chance slams the locker and storms towards the door. He stops and turns back to ask Thomas why he is an officer. Thomas says he wanted to protect friends and family. Chance snaps back,” Yeah? Well who protects their friends and family from danger? Who’s going to make sure they’re communities are safe enough to live in? Huh?” No reply from Thomas. Chance walks out.

Chance rushes toward the exit when he sees a crowd of cops off to the side. At the center is Officer Mark Raines, the cop accused of killing Tyris. The cops surround him shaking his hand wishing him luck on getting off. Chance swells like a raging bull. He storms over to the crowd, pushes his way through. Chance punches him straight in the nose, cops pull him off as Mark holds a bleeding nose.

Chance pulls up in front of Deshawn’s home. There is a car already in front. A man in a suit carrying a briefcase, a lawyer, comes down the steps and hops into his car. Deshawn comes out of the house. He isn’t happy at all. He must have heard the news. Chance gets out of the car. Deshawn burns with hate. The cop hat dangles in his hand. And Deshawn throws the hat at him, yelling at Chance. Angry tears roll down Deshawn’s cheeks as pain swallows him up. Jaheim comes out of the house, he pulls his brother to him and asks Chance if there is a problem. Chance looks at the gun dangling by Jaheim’s side and says no. Chance gets back in his car and leaves.

Chance jogs through his neighborhood. He takes notice of his beautiful surroundings. Each home, a repetition of the one before it, beside it and across from it. A cookie-cutter neighborhood. Chance passes by each row of streets with more replicas of lovely homes. Nuclear families work and play in their perfect yards. Worry-free smiles on their faces. Chance breaks into a run. He breaks when he comes to the entrance of his community. The huge black steel gates with key code entrance. He watches as a citizen leans out of her car to key in her code. The gate opens automatically and closes immediately after she drives in. Chance stares at the massive gates, a metaphor of his life; safety, protection, crime-free neighborhood, great schools, law-abiding neighbors; a perfect lifestyle. A lifestyle Deshawn and others like him have never known or would ever know in their lifetime and generations to come. Unable to tolerate the notion, Chance turns away and jogs back home.

Jaheim sits in a car next to his best mate Derrick Tank Brasman (Kofi Siriboe). Tank asks what he will do for his initiation into the Hillside Boyz. Jaheim says he wants to ambush a cop, and tells Tank to get the guys to meet them at the warehouse.

Chance prepares to leave. Kristen straightens up his uniform. She tells him to be careful and watch out. She kisses him, and he leaves for his patrol. Chance strolls through the neighborhood. There is an eerie dead silence in the air. Dispatch buzz in a domestic disturbance just around the corner.

Chance hops out of the car. He waits for any sounds. He walks up to the door and listens. Silence. He knocks. A woman answers the door with a scowl on her face. She asks what he wants but before he can answer gunshots are heard and the woman slams the door shut. Chance ducks down. He draws his gun. He reaches for his magazine but he can’t find it. Chance sneaks out to his car. Coming toward him is a massive group of men armed with all sorts of weapons. Jaheim spots Chance trying to get in his car. He shoots at the car. Chance runs off on the side of the house. He watches as the boys shoot up the cop car. Others smash the glass and stab the tires. Chance disappears behind the house.

Deshawn is on the bed, anger evident on his face. Tonya bursts through the door and tells him to get down, they are shooting. Deshawn quickly gets to the floor. Tonya crawls out of the room. Deshawn looks up at the picture of him and his brothers. Tonya crawls out of the room. “Jaheim.” Deshawn says to himself and climbs out the window. Deshawn creeps down the street. Gunshots are still heard in the background. Deshawn notices the burning cop car. He spots the familiar name on the rear, Montgomery. Fear floods his face. Jaheim and his mob hoot and holler down the street. He turns to them. Jaheim yells out to spread out and find the cop. Chance dodge between bushes and over fences from yard to yard. He hides behind a car, when he hears a noise behind him, it’s Deshawn, at first Chance doesn’t want him there but he says he knows a spot he can hide. Chance is reluctant at first but when the mob gets closer he follows Deshawn.

Deshawn and Chance hide out in an abandoned house they sit down puffing and Deshawn says he’s gonna hit the cop that killed his brother. Chance laughs and says he’s already done it for him, flexing his wrapped knuckles. Deshawn laughs. Deshawn finds a phone and knows that Spike will help him, so he rings him and tells him where he is and that he is with the cop.

Jaheim is surrounded by some of his crew waiting. Spike runs up to him and says he knows where the cop is and tells him he’s with Deshawn, Jaheim is angry.

Sudden gunshots beat against the house. Chance pulls Deshawn to the ground covering him with his body. Jaheim stands in front of large crowd of boys and men. Spike and Tank by his side. He demands the cop let Deshawn go. Jaheim yells out to his brother saying he is proud and that he should bring the cop out. Deshawn looks at Chance and shakes his head. Chance yells out to Jaheim and says that they are coming out. The mob waits as Deshawn and Chance come from around the back. Chance keeps Deshawn behind him just in case. Chance puts his hands up and tells Deshawn to go to his brother. Deshawn refuses. Jaheim tells Tank to get the cop. The mob yells out. They drag Chance to the street. Deshawn tries to break from Tank’s grip. He looks over at Spike. Spike nods with a sinful smile. He walks off to join the crowd. Chance is on the ground. Fear pounds in his eyes. Jaheim kicks him. Some of the others join in. Deshawn yells out for them to stop. Tank gives Chance a couple of punches to the face. Chance is too weary to fight back. A gun cocks. The boys stop their assault. Chance looks up weakly at a gun point down at him. He looks past the barrel at the hateful look in Jaheim’s eyes. Deshawn breaks from his bonds. Jaheim eyes welling up, “This is for my brother.” Deshawn stands in between Chance and Jaheim. Deshawn is furious, he shoves Jaheim. Jaheim staggers back as his brother continues to shove him. Deshawn asks if Jaheim wants him to lose another brother. Jaheim pushes back but Deshawn keeps coming at him with a mix of punches and shoves. “You want momma to lose another son? What’s going to happen if we lose you?” Everyone watch the two brothers go at it. Jaheim shoves Deshawn to the ground. “They killed our brother it’s time we kill theirs.” Jaheim goes back to Chance who is crouched on the street. He doesn’t move in fear of his life. Jaheim aims the gun at him. Deshawn hops off the ground. He gets in between them again. Deshawn lets the gun push in his head. His eyes fiery with boldness. No more fear. Jaheim is stunned. Cop sirens blare in the background. An ocean of cop cars races toward them. Tank grabs Spike and runs. Other follow. Chance quickly gets off the ground. Jaheim looks at the flood of cops as they get near. He looks scared for the first time. The cars stop and cops get out all weapons aimed at him. Jaheim turns to Chance, Chance says he can help him, he just has to put the gun down. Jaheim stares at Chance with uncertainty. He looks down at Deshawn. Deshawn is frightened. He may lose another brother. He looks back at the cops who are ready to fire. Jaheim lays the gun on the ground. He puts his hands up. Chance pulls Jaheim’s hands behind his back. They walk slowly to the cops. Jaheim looks back at Deshawn, fear and apology in his eyes. A couple of cops take him off of Chance’s hands. Deshawn watch as the car drives off. Chance comes over to him. Chance asks if Deshawn is ok. Deshawn shakes his head as his eyes fill. He breaks into a cry. Chance kneels and pulls him close. Deshawn wraps his arms around the cop as if to cry to his father.

ONE YEAR LATER: A cop cruiser drives toward them. Deshawn yells out that it’s Jaheim. Deshawn bolts through the yard onto the porch of his house. He yells out to his mom. Tonya bursts out of the door. The cruiser parks in front of the house. Neighbors come out to see the commotion. Chance hops out of the car. He goes around the side to let Jaheim out. Deshawn runs into his arms. Jaheim looks up at his crying mom. Deshawn looks at Chance and smiles. Jaheim says that Chance helped him out early. Chance hands Deshawn a box. Deshawn opens the box. A huge smile brightens his face.

Deshawn takes a break from a game of basketball with Spike and his friends. One of the other boys calls for them to come back to the game. Deshawn reaches into his pocket and pulls out an official police badge with his name on it. Deshawn shoves the badge back into his pocket and joins the boys.