Nickel Boys
Plot
The Nickel Boys is a powerful and emotionally charged drama film based on the non-fiction book of the same name by Colson Whitehead. The movie follows the true story of two young black teenagers, Elwood Curtis and Turner, as they navigate the cruel and inhumane world of a reform school in 1960s Florida. The film is a heart-wrenching portrayal of the trauma, hardship, and resilience of two young men who find solace and strength in their friendship, despite being faced with unimaginable adversity. The movie opens with Elwood Curtis, a 15-year-old boy from a troubled home, who has been arrested for a minor infraction that would have gone largely unnoticed in a predominantly white community. Despite the innocence of his crime, Elwood's future is forever altered as he is shipped off to the infamous Dotheboys Hall reform school, also known as the Nickel Academy. It is here that he meets Turner, a street-smart and charismatic teenager who quickly becomes Elwood's confidant and partner in crime. The Nickel Academy is a corrupt and oppressive institution, ruled by a sadistic and depraved administrator, Mr. Carter. The school is notorious for its physical and emotional abuse of students, as well as its inhuman conditions. Elwood and Turner, both innocent and naive, are bewildered by the harsh realities of their new environment. As they navigate the treacherous landscape of the Nickel Academy, they quickly realize that the school is not a place of rehabilitation, but rather a place where students are brutalized, exploited, and traumatized. Despite the overwhelming challenges they face, Elwood and Turner hold on to their friendship, and in doing so find the strength to survive the inhumane conditions of the school. Elwood, who is a gifted student and an avid reader, finds solace in the words of the authors he reads, while Turner, who has been hardened by the streets, uses his wit and cunning to navigate the cruel world of the Nickel Academy. Their friendship is a powerful reminder of the human spirit's capacity for resilience and hope. As the years pass, Elwood and Turner become inseparable, despite the many challenges they face. They find creative ways to cope with the trauma and abuse they endure, and in doing so, they form a deep and unbreakable bond. The Nickel Boys is a testament to the transformative power of friendship, and the ways in which it can heal even the deepest wounds. The film also explores the themes of racism and systemic injustice, which are woven into the very fabric of the Nickel Academy. The school is a microcosm of the larger society, where black youth are disproportionately targeted and marginalized. The movie highlights the crushing effects of racism on individuals and communities, and the ways in which systemic injustice perpetuates cycles of trauma and oppression. The performances of the cast, particularly the two lead actors, are outstanding. Shameik Moore, who plays Elwood, delivers a nuanced and heartbreaking portrayal of a young man struggling to survive in a world that seems determined to break him. The chemistry between Moore and his co-star, Jonathan Majors, who plays Turner, is palpable and authentic, making their friendship all the more believable and compelling. The cinematography and direction of the film are equally impressive. The visuals are stark and unflinching, capturing the bleak and desolate atmosphere of the Nickel Academy. The camera work is fluid and expressive, conveying the emotions and experiences of the characters in a powerful and evocative way. The Nickel Boys is a movie that will leave you feeling shaken, sad, and perhaps even angry. It is a searing indictment of the systemic injustices that have long plagued our society, and a powerful tribute to the resilience and strength of the human spirit. The film is a must-see for anyone who cares about justice, equality, and the well-being of our most vulnerable citizens.
Reviews
Heidi
The film employs a "triple gaze" narrative framework, primarily centered on the first-person POV of the two protagonists, Elwood and Turner, supplemented by the obscured perspective of a modern-day investigator. This structure weaves a tapestry of interwoven timelines. GoPro-esque camerawork simulates the characters' physical and psychological experiences: the unsteady rush of running, the blur of tear-filled eyes, even the brief, disorienting blackouts caused by pain. While initially seeming jarring, as the story progresses, the shifting perspectives gradually build a palpable sense of unease, culminating in a shocking, powerful reversal at the climax.
Zion
An American film nominated for an Oscar, titled "The Nickel Boys," is adapted from the true and horrific history of the Nickel School, a reform school for Black boys. While the subject matter is valuable, the director and writer chose to film and narrate the story from an extreme first and second-person individual perspective, making the story difficult to follow. The author's ambition is vast, attempting to juxtapose historical events from Martin Luther King Jr.'s speeches to the moon landing, to the exposure of the massacre of Black boys at the reform school a century later, using a stream-of-consciousness, fragmented approach. This parallel presentation further disrupts the main storyline, making it intermittent and erratic, not only making it hard to understand, but also testing the patience to sit through these two-plus hours...
Jordan
Form over substance, cinematography over narrative. This feels like an artistic endeavor that, unfortunately, doesn't coalesce into a good film. The director attempts a unique approach, aiming to let the audience viscerally experience this incredibly impactful story. However, it completely fails to create empathy. PS: The second male lead is absolutely gorgeous!
Lillian
5.0 Compared to similar films, this one is clearly ambitious. Violence is downplayed, replaced by memories, imagination, and archives piecing together a forgotten historical truth. However, the director seems unable to distinguish between the stiffness and intimacy of subjective shots. While emphasizing realism, the mechanical camerawork ultimately makes every first-person POV feel like a robot. The appearance of a second subjective viewpoint only makes things more confusing, serving only the so-called narrative trap, creating an "unexpected" ending.
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