Nickel Boys

Arguably the film that has gotten the most awards attention this season is Nickel Boys. It has been on my to-do list for a while because the incredible Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor is in it and I am still incredibly bitter about her getting snubbed for Origin last year. Also with her in it you know that it is going to not only be a good film, but an important one. So with awards season looming it was long past time to watch Nickel Boys.

The first thing that sticks out about this film is that the first part of it at least is shot from this first person perspective, we are only seeing what the character is seeing from their point of view. I think that is extremely unique for film in general but especially for a film that doesn’t have narration to have this kind of camera work is incredible. I’m actually really fascinated by this point of view camera work. I think the impact for a story like this is so much greater. It actually feels like the audience is experiencing the events along with the character. You just don’t get that with most films. Sure they can be immersive but to actually put the audience in the story like this is crazy.

AND THEN IT SWITCHES PERSPECTIVES!!!!! Ugh amazing direction and storytelling. Being able to see through the characters actual eyes is incredible, why do we make movies any other way?

Elwood and Turner seem to be the only friends each other has, Aunjanue is Elwood’s grandma (hilarious because that woman does not look old enough to be a grandma), and she does so much with so little screen time. She is such an incredible actress and she deserves all the flowers, her not getting any nomination for Origin was a fucking crime, I love her. Okay, rant over.

Both of these young men are incredible, Brandon Wilson and Ethan Herisse. They play off of each other so well and there is not a single beat missed when this camera switches perspectives. I like the perspective switches because these two also have opposing moral philosophies. Elwood wants to stand up to his oppressors, and fight back. Turner sees the danger in that and would rather keep his head down and bide his time until he is allowed to leave. The camera work really offers a very visceral way to depict that beyond the dialogue.

Heavily implied that the boys at this boarding house are sexually abused, we explicitly know that they are beaten…Turner says there are only 4 ways out, one of them being to die.

The cutting in actual pictures and videos from this time period is also incredibly impactful. It reminds you constantly that this is based on a true story and that real people suffered like this.

The scene where the boxer is yelling after the warden that he didn't know what round it was is heartbreaking. Because we know what's about to happen.

God this was easily one of the emotionally impactful films of the year. The narrative is about as tangible and visceral as it gets. The camera work is phenomenal and the immersion of the story is next level. The acting was so incredible. Seriously some of the best work I have seen in the last couple of years. It's a flawless film, but I do factor in rewatchability and it is intentionally a little hard to watch sometimes so for that it gets a 9/10. But it is absolutely worth the watch and it deserves all of the awards that are about to come it's way. If you loved it and want more in the same vein, I will never stop recommending Origin. It was my favorite film of last year.