What to watch this week on the big & small screen
Crime drama. With Amandla Stenberg, Regina Hall and Russell Hornsby. Director: George Tillman Jnr. 13DLPV.
The opening scene of this film, based on the young adult novel by Angie Thomas, sets an Oscar-worthy tone. It makes you uncomfortable in the best possible way, prompting examination of yourself, your community and society.
Responsibility and the gravity of the situation are brought into sharp focus as Maverick Carter (Hornsby from Fences) gives his three kids “the talk” – how to avoid being shot if stopped by police. Seven years later Maverick’s daughter, Starr (Stenberg), maintains a fragile balance switching between life in her poor, predominantly black neighbourhood and her wealthy, predominantly white high school. This balance is shattered when Starr witnesses the fatal shooting of her unarmed friend Khalil (Algee Smith) by a cop.
Stenberg (The Hunger Games) gives a superb portrayal of the conflicted Starr, who tries to come to grips with her identity and ultimately find her voice in the face of alienation from both parts of her life and the threat of violence against her and her family.
The cast breathe life into the realistic narrative, which examines the difficult issues of racism, injustice, police brutality, cultural appropriation, white privilege, media bias and the negative and positive power of community. The film also manages moments of humour while being authentic, poignant and optimistic. A mustsee.