a shame that i put out a video all about 4:3 two weeks ago because this is one of the best examples of a movie that knew what it was doing with it
In 1920s New York City, a Black woman finds her world upended when her life becomes intertwined with a former childhood friend who's passing as white.
Passing is showing in 1 cinema in London - next screening Thursday 22 October at 18:15 at BFI Southbank.
Next screenings: Thursday 22 October.
Full schedule
Passing showtimes, refreshed every morning
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a shame that i put out a video all about 4:3 two weeks ago because this is one of the best examples of a movie that knew what it was doing with it
I’ll be honest, the first time I watched this movie everything in my mind was set on disliking it. I agreed with (and to an extent still do) the idea that Tessa Thompson didn’t necessarily pass. I’d seen her in enough movies that were in color to imagine that i wouldn’t be able to suspend my disbelief. Boy was I wrong. The performances were stellar but the film still left me a bit lost which I now attribute to a lack of research. The text on which this is based on I’ve heard was dense and as a result so is the film. Reflecting on it now, I mean this in the best way possible. Despite my initial reaction which I’ve left up in my previous review, Passing is currently sitting at 15 in my 2021 movie ranking. The movie lingered in my mind no matter what I could do. Ruth Negga’s mesmerizing performance was so immersive and Tessa Thompson’s best performance yet made it so I couldn’t write off the movie. I believe I raised my rating from somewhere around 3 stars to 3 and a half stars. I decided that I really enjoyed the parts that I did and that was enough to raise the ranking. I also knew I needed to rewatch it. Knowing that these women don’t/should not pass for white doesn’t detract from your experience of watching the film. It adds to it. The characters are well and aware that what they’re doing is dangerous and shouldn’t really work. Especially since black people regardless of what era it might be can usually tell who might be black or mixed upon first glance. I say all of this to say that this movie was already pretty good but on my second watch I understood its decisions more. The way the characters talk, the way they move and even the way the camera moves all contribute towards the movie’s many themes. I mentioned in my The Farewell review (mind my 19 year old writing there) the idea of a kind of double speak in the dialogue of that film. In a way, I feel that applies to this movie on an almost grander scale. Literally all of the dialogue in this movie has a grand of amount of subtext. There’s multiple ways that people have analyzed this story may it be through the queer aspects, the race centric ones and I honestly noticed a few elements that seemed to address motherhood and class. While this all might seem jumbled up in a way, the script and performances find a way to address everything with sharp focus. There’s care put into every single one of these elements from all sides of the production: Rebecca Hall’s direction and writing, the performances of the actors and especially Edward Grau’s impeccable cinematography. The movie feels like it analyzes itself too, referencing itself constantly to the point where it felt like the ending was echoing backwards through the film. It has its own kind of stellar narrative symmetry that I just can’t get enough of in a movie. The point of this strangely long and thorough review was for me to explain how much this movie moved me the second time around. I’m knocking this rating up to four and half stars but not five because the ending still leaves me a bit lost. However, I feel like the answer I’m looking for is either in the movie or the novella itself. It’s just rich, stunning and unforgettable. Clearly to me at least, considering the length of this review.I apologize if my lack of specifics is frustrating or annoying but I think you really have to experience this for yourself. It’s a really special movie and one that could spark either nuanced or chaotic conversation you won’t want to miss. I recommend a second watch as well to fully take it all in. I can’t promise you’ll enjoy it as much as I did but I sure hope so. There’s nothing like watching an excellent movie.
Rebecca Hall: in my directorial debut- Sundance: okay greatRebecca: i’ll be dissecting American race relations in the context of 1920s Harlem Sundance: sounds fantastic Rebecca: and it’s shot in black-and-white Sundance: say no more Rebecca: to symbolize the complexities of-Sundance: YORebecca: colorism and repression in the gray areas between the linesSundance: YOOOORebecca: did i mention the 4:3 aspect ratio?Sundance: *flatlines*
In 1920s New York City, a Black woman finds her world upended when she reconnects with a childhood friend who is living as a white woman.
Passing was directed by Rebecca Hall in 2021, marking her acclaimed feature directorial debut.
The film received numerous accolades, including multiple Gotham Independent Film Award nominations and critical praise following its Sundance premiere.
