By Chlotrudis Independent Film Society
Rating: 4.5 cats
Director: Barry Jenkins
Starring: Aujanue Ellis | Colman Domingo | Ebony Obsidian | KikiLayne | Michael Beach | Regina King | Stephan James | Teyonah Parris
Country: united_states
Year: 2018
Running time: 119
IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt7125860/reference
Chris says: “Barry Jenkins’ follow-up to MOONLIGHT is nearly that film’s sequel in that it further showcases his considerably humane approach to character and story even as he adapts someone else’s text (in this case, a James Baldwin novel.) The leads (Stephan James and Kiki Layne)are both good, but so is the ensemble, especially Regina King, ColmanDomingo, Brian Tyree Henry–even Diego Luna (though maybe not DaveFranco.) Jenkins’ mastery of tone and pacing makes palatable what could too easily be a miserable, anguished narrative; if it ends up lacking that singular, personal touch that made its predecessor so special, it doesn’t detract from an effective, emotionally satisfying whole. 4.5 cats”
Thom says: “This was adapted from the fine James Baldwin novel; moreover, director Jenkins was responsible for Chlotrudis FILM-OF-THE-YEAR for 2016 MOONLIGHT, &, not incidentally also the Academy Award winner for BEST FILM. And it always thrilled me that it was one of only two films that Bruce Kingsley and I shared as our FILM-OF-THE-YEAR, the other one being Todd Solondz’ 1998 HAPPINESS. So it would be most unbecoming of me to not review th is film. Another thing of special note is that Jenkins has only made two features but both obtained Oscars for acting performances. Mahershala Ali won Best Supporting Actor for his mercurial take as Juan in MOONLIGHT & fabulous Regina King won as Best Supporting Actress for her brilliant performance as Tish’s volatile mother in this searing romantic tragedy. Tish & Fonny are 2 adorable Black teens in love in 1970s New York. Naturally, there are family problems and working out the probabilities of advancing to desired sexual union. As a natural progression Tish does get pregnant; and worse still, Fonny is arrested by a racist cop for the attack & rape of a Puerto Rican woman, who conveniently disappears while Fonny is held in jail for the crime without a trial. We know from the start that Fonny is totally innocent of the crime and the families of the two do every thing in their power to get him released. The leisurely pace is helped by the lovely sense of time and place. The strong sense of community in Harlem enhances the outrage of the wrongful allegation. 4 1/2 cats”