- Release year: 2024
- Director: RaMell Ross.
- Producers: Joslyn Barnes, Dede Gardner, Jeremy Kleiner and David Levine.
- Screenplay by: RaMell Ross and Joslyn Barnes.
- Cinematography by: Jomo Fray.
- Music by: Scott Alario and Alex Somers.
Synopsis: the story of two young African American men in a segregated reform school in Florida.
Shotgun Commentary: slow-paced, beautiful reminder of US politics and current state of inequality.
Review
Nickel Boys is the cinematographic adaptation of Colson Whitehead’s novel of the same name. It follows the story of Elwood Curtis (Ethan Herisse) and Turner (Brandon Wilson), two friends in a reform school. The main attraction of this feature is, undoubtedly, the visuals. The camera tells the story in a unique format that works flawlessly with the editing. Unlike many films that come from books, this movie has managed to bring something new. Its fascinating storytelling technique makes its viewing worth it even when you’ve already read the book.
Great writing makes great films
The story itself is not too far from countless stories about racism in the US. Like all the others, it is a heartbreaking, infuriating account that highlights the unfairness and stupidity of considering oneself better than another person because of your skin pigmentation. As expected, the hardships Elwood goes through are completely uncalled-for and absurd. Nothing like minding your own business as a Black man and getting attacked and imprisoned by the forces that are supposed to protect you… but more on that later.
The story’s main twist is the ending, which will obviously not be divulged here. For anyone who hasn’t read the book, the third act will be a shocking revelation. A surprise whose obvious nature will become clearer the more you backtrack and think about all the things that made no sense in the narrative. Spoiler: they do make sense after all.
Race and individuals
Back to race and its portrayal in this film. One of the most tragic and common issues with a racist society are the enablers. In this case, not only the white people who do nothing, but the black people who perpetuate and worsen the abuse. Much like your average school bully, the more a person has suffered, the more they want everyone around them to suffer. Great examples of this are Desmond (Bryant Tardy), the reform school bully that uses his strength to instil fear in his classmates, and Earl (Escalante Lundy) a black man who helps superintendent Spencer (Hamish Linklater) beat the students. Both students and adults abuse the students, even when they are of the same race. Seeing the bullied become bullies themselves is probably the worst part of these stories.
Additionally, race is explored with textual commentary and imagery. From Turner’s casual remark of the uselessness of egalitarian laws when the economic prospects are still being limited, to a gorgeous short of the legs of a white woman and a black woman moving exactly the same, the film never seems to run out of ways to express the preposterous unfairness people suffered, and still suffer, due to the colour of their skin.
Immersive experience
The best part of this stunning narrative is the visual storytelling. The use of subjective points of view that switch between the main two characters of the story is more revealing than it appears to be at the very beginning. The shots are wonderful, focusing with precision on the most relevant parts of each close-up and atmosphere. They offer quick backstories, instant engagement and relatability, and an anonymity that brings mystery and curiosity to the audiences from the very beginning.
Time-lapses and visual metaphors are also frequent and carefully styled to encourage viewers to feel with the heart instead of understanding with the brain. It could do without some of the really abrupt changes in light intensity. Then again, that adds to the discomfort you are supposed to be feeling during certain moments.
Speaking of which, the score is the final blow of immersion into a torturous place of suffering and constant fear. The musical compositions do a great job at making you feel agitated and restless. In addition to the sound effects that push your imagination to conjure your personal worst theories of what is going on during Elwood’s punishment, the tracks themselves guide your experience with a very tight leash.
All in all, Nickel Boys is a great story told by an incredibly talented crew and cast. Admittedly, it is about half an hour too long if you omit shots that bring virtually nothing to the account. That might help keep the audience fully engaged up until the end, because it is definitely worth unravelling.
You can watch this feature in London in the BFI London Film Festival. It will be screened on the 14th October at 20:45, and the 19th October at 12:30. Book tickets here!
Advice to take from this movie:
- Don’t discriminate people, you look stupid.
- Perpetuating the abuse you have endured will only make your life darker.
- A good director of photography is key for a film to be successful.
What’s your take? Have you watched Nickel Boys? Don’t hesitate to let me know your thoughts in the comments section below, or leave a message in my contact page! For more reviews and cinema-related articles, check out the rest of my blog! 😀