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Some movies are so special that you know you are watching something major despite its flaws. This is the case with Nickel Boys, the narrative feature debut of Academy Award-nominated filmmaker RaMell Ross (Hale County This Morning, This Evening). WithNickel Boys, Ross takes an entirely distinctive approach to its subject matter, telling a story the likes of which we have seen before in a way that feels unlike anything else you’ve seen before.
Nickel BoysReview
Based on the novel by Colson Whitehead (The Underground Railroad),Nickel Boystells the story of two teenagers subjected to awful treatment while living at a reform school in North Florida. The story is based on a real-life reform school that made national headlines in the late 2010s when dozens of unmarked graves of victims of the school’s staff were discovered.
Nickel Boys Stars Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor, Ethan Herisse, and Brandon Wilson Talk Their Roles in This Unique Film (INTERVIEW)
Nickel Boysoffers harrowing commentary on the type of horrific abuse experienced by Black people (and other people of color) in the years immediately following the Civil Rights movement. It targets not only the reform schools in which the story takes place but also the justice system whose miscarriages of justice got these characters into this situation in the first place.
Other elements of the film are not as well-developed, such as the modern-day storyline, starringDaveed Diggsas an adult version of the protagonist, uncovering evidence of the abuses that happened in the past. There’s a lot of room here to explore the lingering trauma of systemic racism and guilt, but we don’t spend enough time with this iteration of the character for these themes to be as rich as they should have been.
Nickel Boysis clearly the creation of a filmmaker making his narrative debut after a background in nonfiction filmmaking. Although none of the cast is bad, it feels like Ross isn’t yet comfortable directing them. Ethan Herisse and Brandon Wilson are solid and have some great moments, but they don’t give enough. Fred Hechinger simply underwhelms. On the opposite end of the spectrum, Hamish Linklater seems to be going too over the top.
Nickel Boys Director RaMell Ross Talks His Unique Approach to This Empathetic Film (INTERVIEW)
However, Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor is simply such a gifted actress that she could seemingly get a stunning turn out of any role or director. Her performance is incredibly warm and charming while also being filled with sadness, with the type of showy monologues and moments that lend themselves to a memorable supporting performance.
That being said, Ross’s background as a documentary filmmaker also results in the greatest strength ofNickel Boys: its experimental visual style. Between the more straightforward narrative scenes, Ross cuts in montages of archive footage from contemporary news events, along with expressionistic images juxtaposing the atrocities of the story with the optimism of a future without them. It’s extremely effective at creating an emotional response without having to show graphic depictions of abuse.
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As a whole, the movie looks and sounds beautiful. Jomo Fray’s cinematography, Scott Alario and Alex Somers’ score, and Nicholas Monsour’s editing are all excellent. The editing, in particular, is masterful, lending the film not only an incredible poeticism but also a mesmerizing rhythm that keeps you fully engaged in the movie despite its unorthodox style.
IsNickel Boysworth watching?
Although it isn’t always as confident and assured as one might hope,Nickel Boysis nevertheless a strong film thanks to the distinctive, gorgeous visual style of director RaMell Ross. It’s refreshing to see a movie about these themes take a much more restrained approach, creating an emotionally evocative experience rather than spelling out to the audience how they should feel. Ross has an exciting voice, and as he continues to develop his style as a narrative filmmaker, he will continue to get even better.
Nickel Boyshits theaters on December 13.
Nickel Boys Review — Ambitiously Experimental Drama Is an Evocative, Empathetic Experience
Sean Boelman
Managing Editor for Film and TV
Articles Published :441
Sean is the Managing Editor for Film and Television, working to determine editorial strategy for the critics team. He has been on the FandomWire team since 2022.In addition to writing reviews himself, Sean helps match writers on the FandomWire team with assignments that best fit their interests and expertise.
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Daveed Diggs
