"Passing": Movie Review
Written By Alex Greenbaum
Rebecca Hall's directorial debut is an exquisite examination of ones identity. "Passing" relishes in its gorgeous black and white esthetic, where the art style is not just used as a gimmick but a meaningful statement on race. Based on the 1929 novella by Nella Larsen, Hall brings the 94 page story to life and tackles a difficult subject matter on screen with a breath of confidence. Between the crisp dialogue and slew of wonderful performances, you'll be hard pressed to find a better made film all year.
Tessa Thompson and Ruth Negga play mixed race individuals who upon seeing each other for the first time since high school, ignites a rapid amount of tension surrounding their racial identity. Both Thompson and Negga take over a majority of the screen time and should be nominated for their brilliant performances. To build up such dramatic anxiety without many visual cues is an impressive feat. Their characters slowly melt into the lush scenes, at times transporting you into a dreamlike world.
Hall's dedicated approach to handling this daring subject matter blew me away even after the film concluded. Her use of up close camera shots and varied editing techniques further accentuates its message. In the grand scheme of things, "Passing" has a simple story, but because of its filming I found a deeper artistic expression than in other generic dramas about race. Even with a few touches on the melodramatic and contrived, there exists a film dripping with intelligence and insight.
With little to no expectations going in, "Passing" electrified my undying love for film. To be blunt, 2021 has been a miserable year for the film industry and quite possibly one of the worst years for movies in my lifetime. Yet, "Passing" stampedes forward not only as a great film but a surefire contender for best picture of the year. It demands to be seen, analyzed, and not forgotten, this is a film lovers delight from start to finish.
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