Earthy romance that has a relaxed style and Hugh light the flaws of youth.
14 Reviews
Earthy romance
chrisch_de21 March 2020
Old Story With a Fresh Look
mdesantis9831 May 2020
"Premature" is a film with a theme that has been brought to the screen many times. Nevertheless, the movie works because the story is timeless and the characters are as real as you and I. Zora Howard gives a standout performance as 17 year-old Ayanna. She is tough, yet vulnerable, a child and a woman, but most of all, a person whose growth is measured throughout the movie though her highs and lows of an unrequited love. Ernesto Green does a stellar job of directing as the rough and tumble, yet beautiful backdrop of New York City is intertwined with Ayanna"s friends, family and paramour.
It is always refreshing to watch a film where people of color can be who they are and there is no need to fall back on the mindless racial stereotypes too often presented in cinema. This is a nicely constructed act of storytelling and well worth one's time to sit back and watch the story unfold.
It is always refreshing to watch a film where people of color can be who they are and there is no need to fall back on the mindless racial stereotypes too often presented in cinema. This is a nicely constructed act of storytelling and well worth one's time to sit back and watch the story unfold.
A gentle story of a girl on the brink of maturity in Harlem, New York.
SGuiliano106497228 May 2020
I enjoyed PREMATURE as I watched it last night on HULU. I took a chance at viewing the film despite my opinions on Feminism, The Red Pill and MGTOW.
This film directed by Rashaad Ernesto Green centers a young teen Ayanna (Zora Howard), during the summer in her neighborhood, socializing with her friends until She meets Isaiah, a record producer. They quickly mingle and become intimate. But as for Ayanna, she struggles through her identity and independence as a teen who's planning on attending college to become a writer and she endures her relationship with her mother whom she hardly communicates and her rollercoaster relationship with Isaiah. Well, it's been tough for her. That's all that I can elaborate.
Green takes film on the gritty streets of Harlem, NY, the teens and their environment. Dealing with every issues on everyday life.
My rating: 7.0
Hits home
MateoMijo9 November 2021
I hadn't given it the actual time which it deserved, but when I finally got around to watch it, the romance I shared with a special someone, the realisation of a fractured love, years of romance leading to a break up which occurred to me previously to watching this, it all came rushing to me altogether and emotionally welded this movie to my own experience.
After having watched it and crying, it really gave me such an appreciation for it, for its scenes of intimacy, for its scenes of conflict , scenes of black family, scenes of black friends, but mostly the tender scenes of lovers just enjoying being being in each other's lives, company and sharing a loving space of love and joy. Additionally, also the pain that inevitably comes afterwards when you're forced to face an unstable relationship tumbling down.
Also has to be said that the score, the jazz infusions in this movie are incredibly stellar too, much deserved praise to the Clayton Brothers for their contribution to this.
After having watched it and crying, it really gave me such an appreciation for it, for its scenes of intimacy, for its scenes of conflict , scenes of black family, scenes of black friends, but mostly the tender scenes of lovers just enjoying being being in each other's lives, company and sharing a loving space of love and joy. Additionally, also the pain that inevitably comes afterwards when you're forced to face an unstable relationship tumbling down.
Also has to be said that the score, the jazz infusions in this movie are incredibly stellar too, much deserved praise to the Clayton Brothers for their contribution to this.
Worth the watch
nadiasylvia19 October 2020
Premature (2020): A forced, cliche-ridden train wreck of a film!
allenlinette10 March 2024
"Premature" (2020) is a film that promises much but delivers little, leaving audiences with a sour taste and a feeling of wasted potential. Directed by Rashaad Ernesto Green, this romantic drama falls short in almost every aspect, from its lewd and overdramatic tone to its baseless storyline and cliché scriptwriting.
From the very beginning, "Premature" sets the tone for what's to come: a barrage of profanity and forced sexual scenes that serves more as a distraction than as a meaningful contribution to the narrative. The film relies heavily on shock value, using curse words as a crutch rather than as a tool for character development or storytelling.
The characters themselves feel like caricatures, with the actors delivering their lines as if they were competing in a profanity-laden contest. There's little depth or nuance to their performances, and it's difficult for viewers to connect with them on any meaningful level.
One of the film's biggest shortcomings is its portrayal of the central romance. The relationship between the main characters feels rushed and forced, with little to no buildup or chemistry between them. It's hard to believe that they've fallen in love when they barely seem to like each other, let alone have any meaningful interactions.
The main female character's abrupt change in behavior is particularly jarring. After initially treating the male lead with ice-cold indifference, she inexplicably transforms into a passionate lover after a brief encounter at the park. The lack of a natural transition between these two extremes makes it difficult for audiences to suspend their disbelief and invest in the characters' relationship.
In addition to its narrative shortcomings, "Premature" also suffers from unoriginality, with scenes that feel like direct copies of moments from other, more successful films. The blatant rip-off of scenes from "Really Love" (2020), directed by Angel Kristi Williams, is especially disappointing and further detracts from the film's credibility.
Overall, "Premature" is an exercise in frustration and disappointment. Its lewdness, overdramatic tone, and baseless storyline make it difficult to watch, let alone enjoy. While it may have had the potential to be a compelling romance, it ultimately falls short in almost every regard, leaving audiences longing for something more substantial and meaningful.
From the very beginning, "Premature" sets the tone for what's to come: a barrage of profanity and forced sexual scenes that serves more as a distraction than as a meaningful contribution to the narrative. The film relies heavily on shock value, using curse words as a crutch rather than as a tool for character development or storytelling.
The characters themselves feel like caricatures, with the actors delivering their lines as if they were competing in a profanity-laden contest. There's little depth or nuance to their performances, and it's difficult for viewers to connect with them on any meaningful level.
One of the film's biggest shortcomings is its portrayal of the central romance. The relationship between the main characters feels rushed and forced, with little to no buildup or chemistry between them. It's hard to believe that they've fallen in love when they barely seem to like each other, let alone have any meaningful interactions.
The main female character's abrupt change in behavior is particularly jarring. After initially treating the male lead with ice-cold indifference, she inexplicably transforms into a passionate lover after a brief encounter at the park. The lack of a natural transition between these two extremes makes it difficult for audiences to suspend their disbelief and invest in the characters' relationship.
In addition to its narrative shortcomings, "Premature" also suffers from unoriginality, with scenes that feel like direct copies of moments from other, more successful films. The blatant rip-off of scenes from "Really Love" (2020), directed by Angel Kristi Williams, is especially disappointing and further detracts from the film's credibility.
Overall, "Premature" is an exercise in frustration and disappointment. Its lewdness, overdramatic tone, and baseless storyline make it difficult to watch, let alone enjoy. While it may have had the potential to be a compelling romance, it ultimately falls short in almost every regard, leaving audiences longing for something more substantial and meaningful.
Best movie I have watched in a while
taleahrobinson12 May 2020
This movie is great and relatable for me being close to her age.This movie reminds me of a good teen fiction book. I honestly cried and I don't even cry over movies, but I guess when you felt what she felt, you can relate.
Beautiful and nuanced love story
filmlove9027 May 2020
I thoroughly enjoyed this beautiful love story! Green's directing is confident and nuanced. Zora Howard gives a great performance, and I very much related to the up's and down's of young love that Ayanna experiences. I felt that the characters were multifaceted and complex and enjoyed seeing Harlem and its richness depicted with such beauty on screen.
Authentic Story
paige-b-alston26 May 2020
Great Movie!
mmontales-2885327 May 2020
Warning: Spoilers
I love how the actors have portrayed their emotions and character. It is kind of mellow but is somehow resonated to real life situation (young love). The movie also tried to touch topics that are essential, but it's quite open ended, i think. Overall, I really love it, the music and cinematography.
I'm def wildin for this wild piece of art! lol?
juanmuscle3 March 2021
No but seriously this is nice! I thought it was gripping from beginning to end! I really enjoyed how he broke through the layers of the characters and got down to the heart of the matter and broke through stigmas and stereotypes that we let delineate and dictate our lives , very fine fine job!
I will put this script against any script ever written.
wonderstone_entertainment21 November 2021
I believe wholeheartedly that, if this film had a major movie star that was beloved by white audiences, there would be the biggest award nominations spread throughout the cast. The way this film makes use of telling a backstory and the future through silence, while yelling the present, is an unbelievable testimony of creativity and pure brilliance.
Why the overall low rating?
dogonlion20 October 2020
I was almost certain i wouldn't like this movie because hood romances have not been successful with me before. Wow, was I pleasantly surprised! The story was well put together and the main actors Zora Howard & Joshua Boone are fantastic. This movie lets you be the witness to the story as if you were a voyeur into the characters' lives. Just watch without preconceived notions and the story will carry you with it to the end.
too young to feel this old
mickeyfan-2664225 December 2023
That is by far the best line of the movie and it really sums up the movie... they fell hard and fast for each other and it ended badly. The main actor and actress have very good believable chemistry and that really kept you in the story and helped propel it. The only con was her friends that were a bit much at times but you could tell she thought alot of them and even called them on their actions. It all felt so raw and real. I have read it compared to a house on beale street and i agree... both are powerful movies dealing with a couple in crisis. I hope to see more of both the main leads b/c they are that good!
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