Based on a true story of a historic outbreak of racist violence, "Rosewood" is a compelling movie even without the social significance.  The storyline is basically that a white woman falsely accuses a black man of rape, causing a whole town to go nuts.  Certain of the white citizens form a mob to administer "justice" and end up on a rampage, while 2 men try to hide the black citizens of the town and help them escape.

"Rosewood" has many of the same emotional elements (heroism, cowardice, hatred, loss of control vs. disciplined honor, plenty of emotional tension) of "Schindler's List" or the old version of "Titanic," "A Night to Remember."  Director John Singleton keeps the action moving, by keeping the more sensitive scenes short, and actually increasing their impact by his brevity.

John Voight is very believable as a reluctant hero, playing a shopkeeper who risks losing everything to help the terrified women and children of the town.  Ving Rhames does a good job as a black man returned from war who serve's as Voight's conscience and handles the action scenes.

A surprise stand-out is Bruce McGill (D-Day in Animal House, the sheriff in My Cousin Vinny) as the "leader" of the white mob.  McGill is convincing as one of the most disgusting characters I've ever seen on film.  He brings out the truly foul nature of hate, but manages to humanize his character by showing the personal costs of his hate as well as the social forces which led him to it.  The result is that you think he actually is the character he portrays.  The movie is worth it just for McGill's creepy character.
Based on a true story of a historic outbreak of racist violence, "Rosewood" is a compelling movie even without the social significance. The storyline is basically that a white woman falsely accuses a black man of rape, causing a whole town to go nuts. Certain of the white citizens form a mob to administer "justice" and end up on a rampage, while 2 men try to hide the black citizens of the town and help them escape. "Rosewood" has many of the same emotional elements (heroism, cowardice, hatred, loss of control vs. disciplined honor, plenty of emotional tension) of "Schindler's List" or the old version of "Titanic," "A Night to Remember. "  Director John Singleton keeps the action moving, by keeping the more sensitive scenes short, and actually increasing their impact by his brevity. John Voight is very believable as a reluctant hero, playing a shopkeeper who risks losing everything to help the terrified women and children of the town. Ving Rhames does a good job as a black man returned from war who serve's as Voight's conscience and handles the action scenes. A surprise stand-out is Bruce McGill (D-Day in Animal House, the sheriff in My Cousin Vinny) as the "leader" of the white mob. McGill is convincing as one of the most disgusting characters I've ever seen on film. He brings out the truly foul nature of hate, but manages to humanize his character by showing the personal costs of his hate as well as the social forces which led him to it. The result is that you think he actually is the character he portrays. The movie is worth it just for McGill's creepy character.