Being no expert in the art of movie producing, I generally don't have too much to say about the technical aspects of movies I've watched, but there were a number of things about "Passing" that struck me as notable. First was the simple decision to film this in black and white. Given the nature of the film, black and white was the only appropriate medium to film it in - it makes a stark point. And Rebecca Hall - in her debut as a director - made a couple of very wise and notable decisions. First was an intriguing use of mirror reflections. I still find myself wondering a bit about what was trying to be portrayed with those scenes (sometimes just brief - even momentary - snippets within scenes) that were essentially shot through reflections in mirrors - but the fact that I'm still thinking about it means that it did connect with me. The other thing I noticed was the repeated focus on the crack in the ceiling above the Redfields' bed - and I'm not sure if it was just me or not, but the crack seemed to get bigger as the movie went on. To me at least, it was pointing to something to come.
That promise of something to come (real or only perceived in the crack) was important to me. In all honesty, "Passing" isn't the most dramatic movie you'll ever see and it's not the most interesting or powerful story involving racial themes you'll ever come across. But somehow, in spite of that, it held my attention throughout. It's interesting without being captivating; dramatic without being exciting. It's the story of two childhood friends who re-connect as adults. Irene Redfield (played by Tessa Thompson) is a black woman married to a black man and living what I would think was an upper class black life in Harlem in what seemed to be the 1920's. Her husband is a successful doctor, they have a large home and a maid. Clare Bellew (played by Ruth Negga) on the other hand is a black woman passing as a white woman and married to a white man, who also happens to be an outspoken racist in the few scenes he appears in. Clare and Irene reconnect and Clare becomes increasingly drawn into the Redfields' life, essentially starting to reconnect with her black roots. It's interesting to watch her development and Thompson and Negga were both very good in their roles. There's a bit of reflection on the racial conditions of the country (especially as Dr. Redfield (played by Andre Holland) insists (against Irene's wishes) on describing the racial situation in the country to their two sons - especially an extended scene or two focussing on them learning about the lynching of a black man in Mississippi.
It's a very well put together movie - the atmosphere (added to by the black and white film) is very effective. You wouldn't want to watch this if you want a riveting analysis of racial or social conditions in the era. Large parts of the movie are just Irene and Clare interacting throughout routine parts of their lives, although it does lead up to a very dramatic (and even tragic) climax in the last few minutes. But it was strangely interesting to watch. I think it's worth a 7/10.
That promise of something to come (real or only perceived in the crack) was important to me. In all honesty, "Passing" isn't the most dramatic movie you'll ever see and it's not the most interesting or powerful story involving racial themes you'll ever come across. But somehow, in spite of that, it held my attention throughout. It's interesting without being captivating; dramatic without being exciting. It's the story of two childhood friends who re-connect as adults. Irene Redfield (played by Tessa Thompson) is a black woman married to a black man and living what I would think was an upper class black life in Harlem in what seemed to be the 1920's. Her husband is a successful doctor, they have a large home and a maid. Clare Bellew (played by Ruth Negga) on the other hand is a black woman passing as a white woman and married to a white man, who also happens to be an outspoken racist in the few scenes he appears in. Clare and Irene reconnect and Clare becomes increasingly drawn into the Redfields' life, essentially starting to reconnect with her black roots. It's interesting to watch her development and Thompson and Negga were both very good in their roles. There's a bit of reflection on the racial conditions of the country (especially as Dr. Redfield (played by Andre Holland) insists (against Irene's wishes) on describing the racial situation in the country to their two sons - especially an extended scene or two focussing on them learning about the lynching of a black man in Mississippi.
It's a very well put together movie - the atmosphere (added to by the black and white film) is very effective. You wouldn't want to watch this if you want a riveting analysis of racial or social conditions in the era. Large parts of the movie are just Irene and Clare interacting throughout routine parts of their lives, although it does lead up to a very dramatic (and even tragic) climax in the last few minutes. But it was strangely interesting to watch. I think it's worth a 7/10.