Passing

Now for the other film I saw yesterday. The film is Passing, which Rebecca Hall adapted from Nella Larsen's 1929 novel for her directorial debut. It's got a lot to say in its 99 minutes.

It's the 1920s. Irene Redfield (Tessa Thompson) and Clare Bellew (Ruth Negga) are light-skinned Black women in New York. While both can pass for white, only Clare does so, married to the disgustingly casual racist John (Alexander Skarsgard). They meet again while dining in a hotel. The happy reunion sours when Irene grows a tad jealous over Clare able to sit pretty in a racist society. It gets worse when Clare decides to mingle with Irene and her family.

My description of John isn't hyperbole. He tells Irene about Clare's darkening skin complexion and how his term of endearment for her is something I'm not going to say. He casually tells Irene what he thinks of black people. It all leads to some awkward laughter for all. He doesn't need to do much to make the audience hate every bit of him from the word go. 'Less you think he's joking, he's not; the finale shows his berserk button smashed with full force once he realizes the truth. The finale is sure to get you talking over Clare's final fate.

Its leads are far more likable and sympathetic. They both try to navigate their racist society in their own ways. Their frustrations over their struggle to pass is palpable. We see Irene with suppressed anger over John's casual racism. But she still tries to shield her sons from the horrors of the racist South despite her husband Brian's (Andre Holland) insistence. She sees Clare and she thinks she has it easy. But it's not; we see her breakdown over this a few times. Her easy life is not a good way to live. They never lose their audience sympathy despite their final outcome.

Can you guess what colors Ret Turner designed the costumes in? Not with Eduard Grau's black-and-white cinematography, you can't. A red hat could've been yellow on set. The monochrome style helps hide Irene and Clare's complexions, and stomps on arbitrary ethnic divisions perfectly. The production design by Nora Mendis is most striking during the snowy finale. All in all, the technical crew is Irene and Clare's biggest ally in their struggle.

Passing is a stylish directorial debut with a captivating story. It's as relevant now as it was back then. A few controversies have only added to its relevance. Be prepared for its sudden finale. It not only lives up to its hype, but it needs more of it. You can add to it if you have Netflix. It's ready for you anytime.