Starr Carter is constantly switching between two worlds; the poor, mostly black neighborhood where she lives and the wealthy, mostly white prep school that she attends. The uneasy balance between these worlds is soon shattered when she witnesses the fatal shooting of her childhood best friend at the hands of a police officer. Facing pressure from all sides of the community, Starr must find her voice and decide to stand up for what's
right.
This movie should probably be rated for the all star performances of its cast, both the principal cast and the support. Amandla Stenberg may have used this movie as a platform to announce herself to the world. This movie gave her the perfect foothold to showcase her repertoire of talent and she duly obliged.
The movie has a pretty simple and straightforward conflict but a more complex plot. This is an unusual element, as most movies usually have it the other way round. It makes more sense to have a basic plot and have a more complex conflict element. In this movie, the conflict explores racism, the various forms in which they come, but with particular attention to how the security agencies perceive the blacks in the society, while on the other hand it exposes the way that the blacks in the society perceive racism and how they have been compelled to be victims. What is unusual about the movie is how the producer was able to balance both sides of the narrative by narrating the complex life of the black or coloured person in society and their attitudes towards the perceived racist elements, and further exploring the much more simplistic point of view of the whites who may not perceive their acts as overtly racist, but who come off to the subjects of racism as very racist. The evolution of Starr Carter from a relatable 'different ' black Girl to a conscious black girl is worthy of note. How the script writer has been able to transform the expressive face of young Starr to a forlorn face devoid of emotions and to face painted in anguish and agony, is a joy to watch, a brilliant work of art and an artistic and articulate display of acting skills on the part of Amandla.
The movie is basically a family movie, targeted not only at the black audience, but also the white audience as well. It is not a movie aimed at exploring the ills at racism but one aimed at correcting racism by exploring both what the blacks consider as racist tendencies and what the whites do that may be perceived as being racist. To the untrained eyes, Starr version 2.0 would seem like an irrelevant piece that the movie really didn't need, but it is one which the movie so really needed, in order to explore the world of the white community, how their normal life may come off as racist without the required intention to be. We are pleased with the decision to include this rather than the option of leaving it out. Also worthy of mention is the decision to move away from the cliché, by telling a story that passes the very sinister message 'racism will always be present '. It is what the victims choose to do with it that really matters. It's either the perceived victims choose to continue being victims or take steps and make a difference without necessarily falling victim.
What was also ever eye catching is the blood chilling dialogue between Starr and Uncle Carlos about how cops perceive a black person and in contradiction with what they perceive if that black was a white person. It further broadened the scope of the message and helped direct the mind towards the propriety of the final message. There can't be any better way of laying the foundation than this.
The acting in the movie is A grade, Regina Hall was as magnificent in her role as one would ever expect, Amandla Stenberg stole the show with her performance. The movie required a strong lead, and Amandla was the perfect fit. The lead had to be someone whose facial, and body movement could compliment her emotional state, and Amandla delivered naturally. She was born for the role, and we commend the casting team for a job well done. Lamar Johnson, Issa Rae and Common delivered brilliant performances as we have come to expect of them. Naturally we would say this was a movie, that needed the characters to help it deliver, and the characters definitely did deliver.
The pacing of the movie was perfect, the exploration of both worlds brilliantly paced and presented without hiccups. Character development was smooth, and almost unnoticed ,but with the desired effect. The transformation of Starr was systematic to achieve the final result. It didn't feel rush neither did it feel awkward when she made her final stand.
The conclusion of the movie was astonishing. Viewers would not have expected the movie to conclude in such a strange way.
Strong acting, brilliant storytelling, a compelling conflict, and a bone chilling conclusion to a rivetting tale.
We definitely will be recommending this movie to everyone out there, regardless of your audience group. It's a good family drama with strong performances, great messages and above all an inspiring new look on a never ending hot topic.
Starring Amandla Stenberg, Regina Hall, Lamar Johnson, Issa Rae, Common
Directed by George Tillman Jr.
Produced by Marty Bowen, Wyck Godfrey, Robert Teitel, George Tillman Jr.
Screenplay by Audrey Wells
FCA'S AppR: 8.3/10.
The movie has a pretty simple and straightforward conflict but a more complex plot. This is an unusual element, as most movies usually have it the other way round. It makes more sense to have a basic plot and have a more complex conflict element. In this movie, the conflict explores racism, the various forms in which they come, but with particular attention to how the security agencies perceive the blacks in the society, while on the other hand it exposes the way that the blacks in the society perceive racism and how they have been compelled to be victims. What is unusual about the movie is how the producer was able to balance both sides of the narrative by narrating the complex life of the black or coloured person in society and their attitudes towards the perceived racist elements, and further exploring the much more simplistic point of view of the whites who may not perceive their acts as overtly racist, but who come off to the subjects of racism as very racist. The evolution of Starr Carter from a relatable 'different ' black Girl to a conscious black girl is worthy of note. How the script writer has been able to transform the expressive face of young Starr to a forlorn face devoid of emotions and to face painted in anguish and agony, is a joy to watch, a brilliant work of art and an artistic and articulate display of acting skills on the part of Amandla.
The movie is basically a family movie, targeted not only at the black audience, but also the white audience as well. It is not a movie aimed at exploring the ills at racism but one aimed at correcting racism by exploring both what the blacks consider as racist tendencies and what the whites do that may be perceived as being racist. To the untrained eyes, Starr version 2.0 would seem like an irrelevant piece that the movie really didn't need, but it is one which the movie so really needed, in order to explore the world of the white community, how their normal life may come off as racist without the required intention to be. We are pleased with the decision to include this rather than the option of leaving it out. Also worthy of mention is the decision to move away from the cliché, by telling a story that passes the very sinister message 'racism will always be present '. It is what the victims choose to do with it that really matters. It's either the perceived victims choose to continue being victims or take steps and make a difference without necessarily falling victim.
What was also ever eye catching is the blood chilling dialogue between Starr and Uncle Carlos about how cops perceive a black person and in contradiction with what they perceive if that black was a white person. It further broadened the scope of the message and helped direct the mind towards the propriety of the final message. There can't be any better way of laying the foundation than this.
The acting in the movie is A grade, Regina Hall was as magnificent in her role as one would ever expect, Amandla Stenberg stole the show with her performance. The movie required a strong lead, and Amandla was the perfect fit. The lead had to be someone whose facial, and body movement could compliment her emotional state, and Amandla delivered naturally. She was born for the role, and we commend the casting team for a job well done. Lamar Johnson, Issa Rae and Common delivered brilliant performances as we have come to expect of them. Naturally we would say this was a movie, that needed the characters to help it deliver, and the characters definitely did deliver.
The pacing of the movie was perfect, the exploration of both worlds brilliantly paced and presented without hiccups. Character development was smooth, and almost unnoticed ,but with the desired effect. The transformation of Starr was systematic to achieve the final result. It didn't feel rush neither did it feel awkward when she made her final stand.
The conclusion of the movie was astonishing. Viewers would not have expected the movie to conclude in such a strange way.
Strong acting, brilliant storytelling, a compelling conflict, and a bone chilling conclusion to a rivetting tale.
We definitely will be recommending this movie to everyone out there, regardless of your audience group. It's a good family drama with strong performances, great messages and above all an inspiring new look on a never ending hot topic.
Starring Amandla Stenberg, Regina Hall, Lamar Johnson, Issa Rae, Common
Directed by George Tillman Jr.
Produced by Marty Bowen, Wyck Godfrey, Robert Teitel, George Tillman Jr.
Screenplay by Audrey Wells
FCA'S AppR: 8.3/10.
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