It's been a real embarrassment of riches this year when it comes to performances and even directorial debuts. In this film it's a two-fer, veteran music video director Melina Matsoukas doesn't a wonderful job (aided by an irresistible soundtrack) of evoking a very believable world for the two characters whose lives are plunged into chaos when an unremarkable date goes horribly wrong.
The film's violence -- even when anticipated -- is shocking and horrifying and the film's finale will likely leave many audience members both angry and devastated but its also filled with moments of real grace and warm humor. It's a love story for our time.
Daniel Kaluuya demonstrates yet again what a terrifically naturalistic leading man her is. His soulful eyes speak volumes and he just has the audience's empathy almost instantly even when his character says and does things that they may not approve of.
But the biggest find here is the sunning Jodie Turner-Smith. Her arc is the most magical -- her character goes on a real emotional and physical evolution in the film and it is her determined and strong performance will be the element that lives with me the longest.
There are some narrative choices that just barely miss the mark -- the movie is plenty compelling but sometimes reaches further than necessary for moments -- but this is a minor quibble, it's mostly an exciting, emotional and even sexy story that feels all too familiar to a lot for people of color.
Not unlike Knives Out, this is a film unafraid to be overtly political but this film -- being a melodrama -- has a strong emotional core too. Jodie-Smith and Kaluuya are on-screen together for nearly the entire film and if their chemistry wasn't so raw and real the movie wouldn't work.
This is one of those movies where you really feel like these two characters are in love and not just because of it serves the plot for it to happen.
Hopefully, it won't get too lost in the shuffle with all the admittedly great awards fare hitting theaters right now.
No comments:
Post a Comment