Constellation (2007)

Gabrielle Union (BRING IT ON, MOESHA) stars in CONSTELLATION as Carmel Boxer, a woman who loved the wrong man at the wrong time--a white man (David Clennon) in pre-civil rights Alabama.  After he breaks her heart by succumbing to societal pressure, she spends a lifetime yearning for the love that could never be, while providing unconditional love for those all around her. Her death brings her loved ones back to Alabama to honor her and mend their own hearts after decades of dysfunction and mismanaged relationships. Carmel's younger, troubled artist brother, Helms (Billy Dee Williams), has lived in self-exile in Paris, neglecting his two daughters, Lucy (Melissa DeSousa) and Rosa (Zoe Saldana), and leaving behind an ex-wife (Lesley Ann Warren) and ex-lover (Rae Dawn Chong). It's the affection and respect everyone has for Carmel that brings them together, but now that she is gone, will her legacy offer enough motivation to heal damaged hearts?

CONSTELLATION writer and director Jordan Walker-Pearlman brings together an outstanding ensemble cast who give strong performances against the stunning backdrop of Huntsville, Alabama. However, the essence of the story--the struggle of biracial relationships woven over decades through the hardships of broken families--is compelling, and the idea of being connected like a constellation of stars is heartwarming.