Written & Directed By: James Gray
Cinematography: Darius Khondji
Editor: Scott Morris
Cast: Banks Repeta, Jaylin Webb, Jeremy Strong, Anthony Hopkins, Anne Hathaway, Andrew Polk, Tovah Feldshuh, John Diehl, Jessica Chastain, Domenick Lombardozzi
A deeply personal coming-of-age story about the strength of family and the generational pursuit of the American Dream.
While this coming-of-age story is enriched with culture and the time period, as well as plenty of emotion. It is devastating in its own way. As there rarely seems to be any joy and mainly downtrodden. So that it works as an unflinching portrait.
Unfortunately, it comes off a little dull, just as muted as its Colors. The film doesn’t have to be sentimental, as it never is and never floats in any kind of nostalgia either. So that after a while you wonder what is the point.
It is based on the director’s childhood and experiences. So it is deeply meaningful to him and a way for him to open up.
Other than some cultural landmarks and a song or two, there aren’t too many attempts to let us be saturated in the times. As the film tries to make its Points. Though you are also left with the feeling unfortunately this story could still play out the same way at any time. Especially today only with more cellphones and different slang
It plays out more like a tragedy to show on a personal level the rampant racism that was around and how the system was always set up in its own way for him to make it, but his black best friend was doomed from the start and never had any opportunities to turn it around. No matter what his parents believed or the constant barrage of adults telling him to make it all you have to do is pull yourself by the bootstraps. As his friend does do that but gets slapped down each time.
As a coming-of-age story, the adults are around but come in and out, and while more than just caricatures they often come off more as portraits than anything. You can feel the burdens and hardships of their lives and their feelings for one another, but there seems little for them to do than be there and react. We never learn too much about them.
We might hear about it but rarely see it. Though he has recognizable actors in the roles. So that you have familiarity and hopefully warmth for them automatically.
It fits in with writer/Director James Gray’s other films. There is a coldness and stillness to his films. Here this is more of a film that tries to have some happiness and hope but it is still under a cloud of despair. Then it just ends.
Having Darius Khondji as the cinematographer. Might seem like a waste for a story that isn’t small in scope. Him being a grandmaster of the art. Maybe as this is small scale it is meant to be more of a snapshot, not necessarily a portrait. As to why it feels so tiny. Yet it sets particular roots for the future that will be world-changing. He uses the camera and coloring to make it more intimate and not call attention to itself. As it moves along
If this is only part one of future autobiographical films that ending makes sense. As he tackles more of his life story. Which hopefully gets more upbeat, but even if not. You can applaud that he made an unsympathetic coming-of-age tale. This is rare and throws the audience off a bit, but certainly stands out.
Having so many recognizable actors does garner interest, but their roles are small, yet so important to the story. You can see why the actors signed up.
In the end, I have to say the film leaves you slightly disappointed
Grade: B-
Cut To The Chase 