Starring Kevin Costner and Octavia Spencer, “Black or White” is the story of a legal tug-of-war between two families over custody rights of a young child. 
Based on a true story, Eloise is the child of a black father and a white mother. The mother, Kevin Costner’s daughter, died in childbirth. The father, Octavia Spencer’s son, has served time in jail and is struggling with drug addiction. Costner and his wife had custody of the child from birth, but as the film opens we learn that his wife has died. Grandmother Spencer now wants custody of the child because she believes that she can provide a better family life for her granddaughter.
Kevin Costner and Octavia Spencer save this movie from itself. Costner brings his dry wit to the character of a man who has been through an emotional wringer. Octavia Spencer plays a strong, self-made black woman. Although her character is a stereotype, she is so good that you forgive this aspect of the role.
Nothing is ever either “black or white.” Costner’s court room scene in which he truthfully confronts his feelings about race strikes an honest cord. While the ending is more or less predictable, the movie as a whole is enjoyable.