Lovers Rock

“LOVERS ROCKS takes place over a single night in London some decades ago—a party arranged by largely Jamaican immigrants, so there’s tons of weed and reggae and goat curry. There are long sections of pure happiness: couples dance as the camera caresses their curves, men take over the dance floor, rising to a frenzy, men and women in their finest move to the walls or slip outside for privacy. There are a couple of altercations that cause the energy to shift. Brief appearances of a few white neighbors threaten the peace (and lovemaking).

“The film’s focus is on Martha, played by Amarah-Jae St. Aubyn, who captures the self-consciousness and power of a pretty 20-something perfectly. 4 cats.”

Michael says: “It is a testament to Steve McQueen’s filmmaking that he so exquisitely creates a film that captures so much about a people, and an era, and a culture, and in such a compelling way, without really having much of a plot to hang it on. LOVERS ROCK, focuses on a period of time in Notting Hill, at a house party in 1980. The title refers to a genre of reggae music that certainly gets the predominantly West Indies natives or descendants swaying, moving, kissing, chanting… and more. From the opening moments of the film, when young men are clearing furniture out of a home and setting up speakers, and women gather to cook all sorts of Jamaican food, we feel like we are a part of the action, DP Shabier Kirchner’s camera moving amongst the preparations — a precursor to the camera work that will take place once the party really gets started. We meet the young woman whose birthday will be celebrated, and we meet another woman, sneaking out of her house to join another friend to dance the night away. Her name is Martha, and it is her story that provides a through-line, giving us glimpses of the youthful attraction that develops between two people, the racism that prevents many of these folk from going to white establishments, and the misogyny that prevails no matter what the culture.

“Once the music gets going and the dancing starts, all the rest almost doesn’t matter. Kirchner and McQueen’s cameras sway amongst the revelers, the music and the toasting of the DJ’s fill the air, and bodies of the dancers gyrate, press, shimmy and lure us into the mood. This is immersive filmmaking at its best, as the camera and the sound bring the viewer into the film with the actors. Martha’s storyline gets about equal attention to the general party, and it feels right. It’s a moment of joy, despite a few bumps along the way. Played by Amarah-Jae St. Aubyn, Martha is a great entry into the film, being a ‘stranger’ herself — someone who was not technically invited, but bought a ticket to get in. She’s bold, she’s careful, we relate to her, and she sells it. It’s her first film roll, and she nails it. The man courting her, Franklyn, played by Micheal Ward, is great as well. We’re unsure of him at first… what’s he really after? Is he a blowhard, just looking for easy sex (like one or two others in the crowd?) In the end his courtship of Martha and his respect for her actions brings them together a for a lovely, early morning post script to the film. LOVER ROCK certainly shows us a night many would probably wish went on forever. 4 1/2 cats”

Chris says: “So much pure, unadulterated joy in this–certainly more than in any other McQueen film I’ve seen. 4.25 cats”