Movie Review:
Night Catches Us
http://www.seattlemedium.com/News/article/article.asp?NewsID=106456&sID=25&ItemSource=L
by Dwight Brown
12/1/2010
For some, the 1960's Black Panther Party is a complete enigma. For
those people who are looking for a revealing glimpse into that
social/political/cultural movement, this poorly conceived ode to the
Panthers is not illuminating. However, strong performances and some
tight family drama make this period film worth viewing.
Time to comb out your Afro brother-man and get with the program. It's
1976 set-in inner city Philadelphia. Marcus (Anthony Mackie, "The
Hurt Locker") returns to his old neighborhood after being absent for
many years, and he is not well received. Folks think he's been away
"doing time" and that he snitched on the Panthers. Only one person
reluctantly welcomes him, his old friend Patricia (Kerry Washington,
"Ray," "The Last King of Scotland"). She opens her home and her
heart. Patricia and her young daughter warm up to Marcus, as he
encounters outward hostility from the neighbors.
Though the Panther movement has lapsed, one mentally unstable young
man named DoRight (Jamie Hector, TV's "Heroes) persists in agitating
"the man." He plots discord, arms himself for that day of reckoning
and puts Patricia, her child, and Marcus in constant danger. A
Detective Gordon (Wendell Pierce, "Waiting to Exhale") keeps a
watchful eye. He may be a brother, but he is on the side of strict
law enforcement, he's with "the man."
Writer/director Tanya Hamilton first made a name for herself with her
short film "The Killers," which won an award at the 1996 Berlin
International Film Festival. She developed her script for "Night
Catches Us" at the famed Sundance Institute. The results of this
paring are dubious at best. Hamilton gets the feel of the era near
perfect, with aide from cinematographer David Tumblety ("Sweet
Land"), and production designer Beth Mickle ("Half Nelson"). She
pulls deep, probing performances from Mackie and Washington. And,
though her dialogue is not genius, it serves the storyline, which
delves into the characters and their desire to move on with their
lives though the past encumbers them.
This is not a blow-by-blow story about the Black Panther Party. Once
you get over that and embrace the character-driven plotline, the
movie has depth. The film's biggest transgression, which makes it
hard to digest and will leave you scratching your head, is its
wavering tone. Archival clips of the Panther Party establish history
and a past. One or two clips would be fine, but the over-abundance
brings momentum to a halt. There is a sequence in which Patricia's
daughter looks at a comic series. The film brings the series to life,
in live-animation. What does this have to do with a period piece the
about the last vestiges of the Panther Party? Nothing. The lack of
focus and the odd blending of genres make this film a potpourri and
not a solid dramatic effort, when drama is its only strong suit.
The supporting cast helps set a tone of distrust. Washington gets a
lot of screen time, and for the most part her portrayal is on target,
making you almost forget her nervous, unfocused performance in "For
Colored Girls." She proves resoundingly that even in a poorly
constructed film, she can empower a role. Anthony Mackie is carving
himself out a niche. He is thoroughly compelling, and is compiling an
impressive and varied filmography that exhibits his great
versatility: "We Are Marshall," "Half Nelson," "8 Mile," "The
Manchurian Candidate." He brings a level of decency, charm, and
intelligence to his Marcus character that elevates the movie, which
needs all the help it can get.
If you are waxing nostalgic for the Black Panther Party, rent the DVD
"Panther" directed by Mario Van Peebles and starring Kadeem Hardison,
Bookeem Woodbine, Courtney B. Vance and Angela Basset. It's not
perfect but it will do until perfection comes along. "Night Catches
Us" tries to hone in on the aftermath of the Panther movement, and
it's misses it's target by 8 miles.
.
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