The Six Triple Eight -- Well Intentioned Yet Poorly Executed

By Borja Izuzquiza

After almost two hours, The Six Triple Eight concludes with an inspiring coda it wishes the rest of the movie could have lived up to. During these final 10 minutes, archival footage and interviews with the surviving members of the 6888 battalion help the movie reach its goal; shining a light on the remarkable story of 855 black women tasked with an impossible challenge during World War II.

Morale for American soldiers was low in 1943. Over 17 million pieces of mail remained undelivered due to changing strategies, yet the importance of making sure these were delivered was essential to provide comfort during difficult times. As such, the six triple eight battalion, composed of black women are assigned the task of sorting and delivering the letters: all 17 million of them in three months.

The enormity of the task was designed to have the battalion fail. Led by Major Adams (Kerry Washington) the soldiers had repeatedly asked to be assigned meaningful work in service of the war effort. Rampant racism and misogyny across the armed forces prevented them from doing so. Finally, the 6888 battalion were given the mail sorting task, but not without the challenges of discrimination.

Directed by Tyler Perry, The Six Triple Eight is a well-intentioned if not poorly executed effort. Perry begins his project with a less than enthralling battle scene and continues with a disjointed and uneven focus. The biopic beats are familiar even though the film’s subject merits its own distinct rhythm. Every element vies for generic supremacy over the next, while the accompanying score is saccharine in its intentions to be rousing. Odd lens choices are sporadically used for no obvious purpose as well, ultimately distracting from what are supposed to be meaningful moments. Furthermore, several characters are introduced to the mix filling in stereotypical roles, with most remaining underdeveloped.

Freeing herself from the inconspicuous blend, Lena Derricotte King (Ebony Obsidian) is an exception. Her storyline composes the films’ emotional arc, although the efforts to retrace these are also subpar. Undoubtedly King’s contributions are nothing short of heroic, yet as an example of Perry’s uneven vision, he decides to focus more on her personal struggles and motivations while employing problematic thematic elements to boot. Poor justice is afforded not only to Derricotte, but to the entire battalion, resulting in the belittling of an extraordinary accomplishment.

​Despite all its missteps, the film ultimately will fulfill its intended purpose. With heavy hitting names like Perry involved and with a streaming home on Netflix, viewers will undoubtedly tune in to The Six Triple Eight and learn about these overlooked and remarkable women. The 6888 battalion was tasked with an almost impossible feat, yet thanks to their unbreakable resolve, these women served their country despite their country not showing the same commitment to them. Ultimately, a good movie is bound to be made concerning their historical accomplishments; they deserve as much.

The Six Triple Eight is streaming now on Netflix.  

Rating: 2/5