The movie slights this personal tale in favor of broad political statements. But Mr. Lee is such a dazzling filmmaker, the weaker links don't matter.

It's intelligent and thought-provoking, and occasionally it's brilliant -- a film that demands to be seen. But its flaws are loud ones, and its apparently separatist leanings are too dangerous to be allowed to pass unchallenged.

The ingrained self-hatred of its characters reflect outward toward those who remind them of themselves.

Lee's film has moments that are near incendiary in their anger, and it's the rare American film that can honestly be said to make audiences think, and re-think.