Critics Praise Visuals but Condemn 'By Any Means' for Historical Inaccuracy and Racial Tropes
Elegance Bratton’s new film 'By Any Means' has drawn sharp criticism for its historical inaccuracies and reliance on 'white savior' tropes, despite praise for its cinematography. The movie, starring Mark Wahlberg and Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, depicts a fictional partnership between a mob enforcer and an FBI agent in 1960s Mississippi. While the visual style is lauded, critics argue the script undermines its themes by prioritizing violent action over nuanced character development, and relatives of the real-life victims have called for a boycott.