Zane's take at the Cinema's

We live in some uncertain times when it comes to expressing our political beliefs. However, one thing humans all have in common is we all love a good story. Whether it’s based on a true story, an adaptation of a beloved novel or a sequel/prequel, we as humans share a great and beautiful connection when good stories are told. Granted, when a true story is being told on the big screen, liberties are bound to happen and it’s important to distinguish that, despite the movie being centered around real people and real events, what’s happening on screen isn’t real. We often criticize based on true stories for not telling the definitive story, when if audiences wanted the real thing, then maybe they should have paid money for a documentary. True stories are always romanticized and whether we like it or not is a different discussion, but it’s almost a guarantee that one should expect that in a movie that’s based on a true story. Judas and the Black Messiah, by all accounts, more than likely has a heavy dose of dramatization to it’s characters and events that follow, nevertheless, Judas and the Black Messiah is a deep, gut wrenching and powerful exploration of humanity and tragedy. Daniel Kaluuya gives an exceptional and revolutionary performance, as does Lakeith Stanfield that wonderfully demonstrates their charm and commanding presence. For a first time director, Shaka King has a gift on capturing history but also telling something where he sticks to his gut, whether you agree with it or not.

Set in the late 1960s in the city of Chicago, Judas and the Black Messiah tells the story of William O’Neal (Lakeith Stanfield), a man hired by the FBI to infiltrate the Black Panther Party to muster a better understanding on the Party’s main Chairman, Mr. Fred Hampton (Daniel Kaluuya). The more that O’Neal learns more about the Black Panther Party, the closer he gets to Fred Hampton, which leads to a tragic downfall.

If we’re being honest with ourselves, as great and as super talented Daniel Kaluuya is, it’s was a bit shocking to see him get an Oscar nomination for Best Actor for Get Out. Granted, he is very good in that movie but was his performance in Get Out Oscar worthy? Well, that’s up for debate. Daniel Kaluuya’s performance in Judas and the Black Messiah as Fred Hampton is on the same level of Heath Legder’s performance in The Dark Knight. From the moment Kaluuya pops on screen, the character of Fred Hampton becomes this prepossessing magnet of charisma and respect. Whether you agree or disagree with figure of Fred Hampton, one thing that can’t be disputed is Kaluuya’s powerful and transformative performance. His Oscar nomination for Get Out might be questionable but his performance in Judas and the Black Messiah is by far his best.

As is the performance from Lakeith Stanfield. Lakeith Stanfield is an exceptional young talent who already has an impressive body of work for someone who’s only 29 years old. He shines both as a leading and as a supporting character no matter what movie he’s in. He gives a revolutionary performance as a man who’s built on the themes of confliction. William O’Neal, in this movie, is surrounded by conflicts that make the character fully realized and fully dimensional. It’s great to see Lakeith Stanfield and Daniel Kaluuya on screen together, despite the brief screen time they had in Get Out. Together, the chemistry elevates the emotional crux of the movie and takes the movie to much deeper and profound levels.

The critical love that Judas and the Black Messiah is getting from the majority or critics is well deserved and for good reasons. However, considering where we are at in our country, it’s almost inevitable that a small group of people will find this movie one sided and political. Be that as it may, the job of any movie is to simply be good. Making a good movie is hard, but as long as a movie meets the requirements to make a good movie, then that’s really what should matter. Does Judas and the Black Messiah have a specific stance on its subject matter? Of course, but it’s stance isn’t forceful nor isn’t being rubbed up all in your face. Judas and the Black Messiah is a potent and irresistible story about two men who are two of the same coin, where ones life lives on but one that’s full of regret and tragedy.

My grade for Judas and the Black Messiah: A