The Stream: Random raps and white guy grills can be a little off-putting

The Big Screen: Everything else is presented so well, especially during this political/racial climate

The Final Bill: Excellent acting, direction, and writing lead to a must-see performance

-S2S: Movie Review
Director: Carlos López Estrada
Writers: Rafael Casal, Daveed Diggs
Stars: Daveed Diggs, Rafael Casal, Janina Gavankar, Jasmine Cephas Jones | See full cast & crew »
Rating: R
Genre: Comedy, Crime, Drama
Runtime: 1 hour 29 minutes
Platform: Leaving HBOGo shortly but can be rented on all major streaming sources

Happy 4th of July, Stream2BigScreeners (even those of you not contemplated as humans at that time). I’ve dreaded this day for so long. I’ve finally watched a movie that my brother, Trip Fontaine has begged me to watch for 2 years now, Blindspotting. It’s a movie that came with rave reviews that I pushed to the back burner to not be sucked in by the hype. Blindspotting follows the main characters, Collin, a felon just trying to make it off of parole, and his best friend from childhood, Miles, on the last few days of Collin’s probation period. In these last days, Collin has to evaluate if this friendship is what he needs in life to stay on the straight and narrow. Let’s see what I missed.

I’m going to do something I’d hate to give Trip the pleasure of by saying, “You were right.” I should’ve watched this movie when he told me to. Wow, I really prejudged this movie in 2018. I saw what I wanted in my implicit biases instead of allowing myself to empathize and find mutual understanding. I realize that I was failing to listen to the movie who is different from me and try putting myself in its shoes. You know like trying to understand the microaggressions that give the film PTSD daily. Giving this movie a chance to be equal or others like it. Wow, this must be just the reckoning that so many other Americans are experiencing now, opening their eyes to marginalization of their black sisters and brothers. Protests daily over police brutality, statues coming down, Confederate symbols being dismantled, and white voices stepping back from black and brown animated roles – is it enough is the better question, but I digress. Gentrification, Racism, Issues with Police and the Criminal Justice System, and etc. This movie shows it all. It’s the mash-up of “Atlanta” and “Dave” and a dose of Hamilton but on the big screen. The intersectionality of this movie is delectable. The funny thing about Blindspotting is that it was perfect for the climate in 2018 and still immediately relevant two years later. In those two years, families and communities have lost too many loved ones to insidious and persistent racism – purposefully, systematically, and subconsciously. This movie is for all those Karens, and Kens, and allies alike out there.

Yes, the language can be a little abrasive at points; but, we all need to open ears to truly listen to one another and open our eyes to see what’s really going happening in the world. And yes, this movie has some random rap sequences that, while lyrically are pretty good, are awkwardly placed for effect. Think Hamilton set in Oakland. Shout out to Hamilton on Disney+! Nevertheless, the awkwardness of some of these sequences is definitely ameliorated by the strong acting performances by the main cast. From “Black-ish” to Hamilton, Daveed Diggs shows tremendous range and this is no exception.

Long story short, this movie is quite enjoyable and I might even dare to say excellent. In a way, I’m mad I didn’t support this film when it was in the theaters; but, I’m also ecstatic that I could watch it at this time for the first time. I say pop yourself a big box of fresh popcorn and enjoy this at home.