In thinking about my experience with this movie, I almost didn’t want to review it for fear of spoiling potential filmgoers’ experiences. But still, I decided I really did want to make sure anyone who attended a showing know a little about what they were getting into.
What They Say:
“Fast Color” stars Gugu Mbatha-Raw as a woman who comes into her own after discovering she has superhuman abilities. When her powers are discovered, the woman is forced to abandon her family in order to protect them. Years later, her mission to remain unseen brings her back home.
Content: (please note that content portions of a review may contain spoilers)
Fast Color is a drama about Ruth (Gugu Mbatha-Raw), a young black woman with superpowers who is traveling across the U.S. Along the way she meets a mysterious man named. Bill (Christopher Denham). Meanwhile, little Lila (Saniyya Sidney) is growing up under the watchful eye of Bo (Lorraine Toussaint). As the story develops we wind up meeting small-town Sheriff Ellis (David Strathairn) who turns out to be a decent detective, all things considered.
This is all I really want to tell you about this film to be honest. I left out the trailer from this review because I felt it was a bit misleading about the movie’s general tone and focus. When I was initially told of this screening, all I knew was that there’d be a woman with powers and that was about it. Going in cold mostly helped me to take this journey with Ruth and enjoy the drama that unfolds. Make no mistake, by the way, this is entirely a drama. Yes, the mention of superpowers may place visions of comic book beatdowns in your heads. While I enjoy that kind of fare at the movies from Marvel and DC adaptations most of the time, it’s refreshing to see this type of take on the genre. I really did enjoy seeing the story that developed as well as the fact some decisions made in similar movies were not taken here by director and writer Julia Hart, who juxtaposes prior and present events very well with an emotionally stirring use of colors and visual effects.
I was unfamiliar with most of the actors here except for Lorraine Toussaint and David Strathairn, but everyone did a nice job. Hopefully, we’ll get to see Gugu Mbatha-Raw and Saniyya Sidney lead more movies as their exposure increases. My only complaint was that Christopher Denham’s Bill is only given so much to work with as the story develops. However, Ruth is wonderfully realized through the triumphs and flashbacks we feel through her. Seeing everyone connect in their various ways through complex situations was the strongest aspect of the film, more so than seeing Ruth develop her powers.
In the end, yes, this month belongs to the likes of Shazam! and Avengers: Endgame, but if you’re looking for something good and different on the indie scene, give Fast Color a try as it’s nicely depicted story of self-discovery and a compelling tale about what black women can and often do endure to make the world work for them, I don’t think you’ll be disappointed.
Grade: A-
