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Friday, March 4, 2011
MOVIE REVIEW
I Will Follow
Artifacts Of Life, Love And
The Present Tense
Beverly Todd (foreground) as Amanda and Salli Richardson-Whitfield as Maye in
Ava DuVernay's "I Will Follow".
AFFRM
by
Omar P.L. Moore/PopcornReel.com
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Friday,
March 4, 2011
Do you remember? The feeling you had when your aunt or grandmother dispensed words of
wisdom to you on a sunny Saturday afternoon? The many times your father or
mother gave you advice you've remembered and cherished forever?
Ava DuVernay's "I Will Follow" recalls those blissful,
effervescent feelings with depth, nuance and clarity.
Supremely beautiful and tender, "I Will Follow" looks at life and grief with
more joy and triumph than sorrow. This great, effective drama, which opens
in five U.S. cities on March 11, is about absorbing love and cherishing its
finest moments. Based on the true story of Ms. DuVernay's late aunt, "I
Will Follow" finds Maye Fisher (Salli Richardson-Whitfield) trying to pick up
the pieces after the loss of her aunt Amanda (Beverly Todd), who helped raise
her. Love, or the absence of it, will shape Maye. We find out that
Amanda adored U2 as does Maye -- and Ms. DuVernay. The film's title
belongs, fittingly, to a U2 song that Bono wrote about his dying mother.
Readying a move from the Los Angeles home she lived in with her aunt, Maye
examines items of sentimental value and is overwhelmed by the vibrancy and
simple pleasures of Amanda's life. Maye it turns out, was much closer to
Amanda than Amanda's daughter Fran (Michole White). Naturally there's
tension between cousins Maye and Fran, a heightened state that Ms. DuVernay
delicately and discreetly engineers, adding to the film's emotional complexity.
"I Will Follow" paces almost like real-time, taking place on one day. We
spend the day with Maye as she packs and unpacks memories of Amanda. Maye
also deals with present-day situations including Troy (Omari Hardwick), a dear
love who stops by, but not out of the blue.
"I Will Follow" is punctuated by light comedy, authentic dialogue and pop
culture references. No matter the atmosphere: joyous, melancholic, tense
or romantic, when you watch "I Will Follow" you are seeing people relax and
exhale in their lives, comfortable in their own beautiful skins and peaceful
environments, even if life isn't always a smooth ride.
Ms. DuVernay has poured her soul and love for her departed aunt Denise Sexton, who produced the film with the director, into "I Will Follow". Ms. Sexton
died of breast cancer in 2003. Ms. DuVernay began writing the script a day
or two afterwards.
The director's first dramatic feature film has warmth and resonance. We
instantly identify with the characters we see. Ms. DuVernay's cinematic
flair and storytelling skills are as graceful and wonderful as the film's
collection of finely-tuned, excellent performances, especially from Ms. Richardson-Whitfield, Ms.
Todd and Mr. Hardwick. Each of them brings balance, wisdom and maturity to
their work. There's an undeniable lyricism and intelligence that shines
throughout "I Will Follow".
"I Will Follow" contemplates lives, futures and possibilities. This is
an
intimate film
that invites and welcomes us with open arms.
Salli Richardson-Whitfield as Maye
and Omari Hardwick as Troy in
Ava DuVernay's "I Will Follow". AFFRM
We know of the delights and charms that made Amanda a special person, without
focusing on the pain many similar-themed films often do. In Ms. DuVernay's
film grief isn't wrapped up in histrionics or aching pain. (Memo: in the black community in America, death doesn't always
come at the hands of a police officer or a gang member or a wayward opportunist.
Most times death comes from natural causes or health-related issues -- just as
in every other community.)
Filled with vivid color, earth tones and beauty, "I Will Follow" is a moving
journey of love and remembrance between generations of family that leaves you
feeling happy, entertained and proud to know the people Ava DuVernay introduces
you to. The film is a breath of fresh air for those hungering for an
alternative, diverse and genuine film depiction of everyday life in the black
community. If you go to your local movie theater to watch "I Will Follow" expecting the usual shuck-and-jive,
rump-shaking comedy or violence-saturated drama that you've had a steady diet of over the years, you'll be
sorely disappointed.
Most importantly Ms. DuVernay's film charts a seminal course in the re-direction
of black cinema and filmmaking for African-Americans. Her visions and
characters are more like those we see everyday in real life than those we see
far too much of these days on the big screen.
Ms. DuVernay's AFFRM (African-American Film Festival Releasing Movement) is a
beacon of positive, uplifting energy, and could end up as the quintessential
go-to headquarters for a renewed wave of talented black filmmakers. AFFRM
distributes "I Will Follow", the first film in a series of self-distributed
films in conjunction with AMC Independent.
Pure, honest and unwavering, "I Will Follow" is a rich portrayal of everyday black life --
and everyday life
anywhere, for that matter. Follow this excellent, heartfelt film into your
local theater.
[On March 11 "I Will Follow" opens in New York City (AMC 34th Street),
Philadelphia (AMC Cherry Hill), Atlanta (AMC Phipps Plaza), L.A. (AMC Santa
Monica Criterion 6), and Seattle (AMC Southcenter 16). The film plans to
expand its release to other cities in the weeks to come.]
With: Dijon Talton, Tracie Thoms, Damone Roberts, Blair Underwood.
"I Will Follow" is rated PG-13 by the Motion Picture Association Of America.
The film includes language and some sensuality. The film's running time is
one hour and 23 minutes.
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