Racial Tensions Rise When Meeting the Parents

Allison Williams and Daniel Kaluuya in "Get Out"
Photo Credit: Imdb.com

From 2012 to 2015, Jordan Peele and Keegan-Michael Key brought television audiences their sketch-comedy show, “Key and Peele,” which focused on several social topics, such as race relations and ethnic stereotypes.  Like all talented comics who deal with such subjects, this duo was able to do so in a way that made you laugh and think about their overall messages.

This is what has led to the first big surprise of 2017 cinema, in which Peele takes his skill for comical social commentary and uses it for his directorial debut with the horror-comedy film, “Get Out.”  In a movie that’s creepy, darkly funny, satirical, and hugely enjoyable, this is an example of the talent and possibilities that can still come out of mainstream horror films.

Chris Washington (Daniel Kaluuya) and Rose Armitage (Allison Williams) have been dating for some time, and she soon decides it’s time to introduce Chris to her parents.  While he’s hesitant to do so because of Rose not telling her parents he’s African-American, Chris goes along with her to her parents’ home for a weekend getaway.  Upon meeting him at first, Rose’s parents (Catherine Keener and Bradley Whitford) and brother (Caleb Landry Jones) are welcoming, if a little off.  When the family throws a party with a bunch of their friends who take a strange interest in Chris, he begins to feel more uncomfortable and out of place, leading him to believe there’s something strange lurking beneath the facade of pleasant faces.

Daniel Kaluuya’s performance encapsulates the feeling of discomfort and isolation you feel when faced with a crowd of others who see you as different.  Through his interactions with Rose’s family and their friends, we see Chris try to make the best of an odd situation as he becomes increasingly suspicious of the happenings around him.  We are also provided a bit of an emotional backstory to his character where Kaluuya is given a chance to display Chris’ vulnerable side in a pivotal scene early on in the film between him and Rose’s mother.

One of the best surprises of the film is how Catherine Keener, despite being the most recognizable name in the cast, doesn’t try to make herself the biggest presence in the film.  Instead, she provides a fairly understated performance that’s all the more creepy because of that approach to the character.  She displays a persona that’s calm on the surface, yet menacing underneath, and with that, Keener puts you on edge whenever she’s on screen.

Other memorable performances from the supporting cast include Caleb Landry Jones as the threatening brother with violence boiling inside; Betty Gabriel and Marcus Henderson as the unsettlingly pleasant maid and groundskeeper for the Armitage family; and Lil Rey Howery as Chris’ friend who offers most of the film’s comic relief.

The screenplay by Peele uses the concept of Stanley Kramer’s classic 1967 film “Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner” and the “Black Guy at a Party” stand-up skit from “Key and Peele” and twists them into something that’s both sinister and uncomfortably funny.  With his narrative, he carefully doles out the frights and surprises and doesn’t let the need to scare us get in the way of fleshing out the satire of the story.  He takes his time in setting up the premise and letting us get to know the family, so then by the time everything is revealed, we’re even more creeped out because we have many details concerning the family and the harm they’re capable of doing.  Although the disclosure of the family’s motivations veer into territory that’s a bit absurd, it still works in such a way that adds another layer to Peele’s satirical views.

Peele proves to be a talent to watch behind the camera.  As a director, he’s able to give us scares and laughs, all while making us contemplate the film’s issues involving race relations that are still prevalent today, and with his cast, he mines every bit of awkwardness that comes out of the situations in which he places his main protagonist.  He also makes a very effective use of close-ups in some of Chris’ interactions with the film’s mysterious characters, placing us in even more discomfort that gives us a claustrophobic feel of Chris’ space being invaded by those who have nefarious plans for him.

It’s a pleasure to watch filmmaking talent come from a new director, and with “Get Out,” Peele has already made himself into one of the biggest breakouts of the year.  Mainstream horror deserves more visions like his, as he’s another filmmaker who has shown that the genre can give you an experience that’s not only frightening, but reflective.

Final Grade: A-

Predictions for the 89th Academy Awards

Viola Davis in "Fences"
Photo Credit: Imdb.com 

Best Supporting Actress: Viola Davis - “Fences”; Naomie Harris - “Moonlight”; Nicole Kidman - “Lion”; Octavia Spencer - “Hidden Figures”; Michelle Williams - “Manchester by the Sea”

Will Win and Should Win: Viola Davis - “Fences” - Up until now, Davis has won most of the awards for which she has been nominated, including the Critics’ Choice Award, the Golden Globe Award, and the Screen Actors Guild Award.  It also helps that she has the biggest performance in this category.  As a wife and mother who’s trying to hold her family together in the midst of household tension, Davis provided one of the most emotional performances of 2016, especially in the film’s climactic “what about me?” scene between her and Denzel Washington’s character.  The emotions elicited throughout “Fences” course through you long after it’s over, and it’s Davis’ work here that helped make that possible.

Mahershala Ali in "Moonlight"
Photo Credit: Imdb.com

Best Supporting Actor: Mahershala Ali - “Moonlight”; Jeff Bridges - “Hell or High Water”; Lucas Hedges - “Manchester by the Sea”; Dev Patel - “Lion”; Michael Shannon - “Nocturnal Animals”

Will Win and Should Win: Mahershala Ali - “Moonlight” - Throughout this awards season, Ali has won the Critics’ Choice Award and the Screen Actors Guild Award, as well as recognition from many critics groups.  Although Aaron Taylor-Johnson won the Golden Globe for his performance in “Nocturnal Animals,” he wasn’t nominated by the Academy, and Patel’s win at the BAFTAs (British Academy of Film and Television Arts) shouldn’t put much of a dent in Ali’s chances, so this race should be pretty much open for him.  As a crack dealer who becomes a father figure for the film’s main character, Ali provided a deep warmth and sense of comfort that embraced the viewer whenever he was on screen, a guiding light for the protagonist as he made his way through a challenging life.  What made his performance so memorable was how understated it was, yet impactful, and that spoke to his power as an actor, and Ali’s work in this film will hopefully give him the movie career he deserves.

Emma Stone in "La La Land"
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Best Actress: Isabelle Huppert - “Elle”; Ruth Negga - “Loving”; Natalie Portman - “Jackie”; Emma Stone - “La La Land”; Meryl Streep - “Florence Foster Jenkins”

Will Win: Emma Stone - “La La Land” - At first, this category seemed like a bit of challenge to predict because Portman won the Critics’ Choice Award, Huppert won Best Actress from several top critics groups and the Golden Globe for Best Actress - Motion Picture Drama, and Emma Stone won the Golden Globe for Best Actress - Motion Picture Musical or Comedy.  Later on, Stone won the Screen Actors Guild Award and BAFTA Award.  These wins have only strengthened her chances at the Oscar, and seeing as her performance as a struggling actress was in one of the most celebrated films of the year, Stone has plenty of momentum to be the winner come Oscar night.

Natalie Portman in "Jackie"
Photo Credit: Imdb.com

Should Win: Natalie Portman - “Jackie” - Having seen this film twice, I can’t call Portman’s performance anything less than transformative.  She has been named Best Actress by a few critics groups, with the biggest award she has received being the Critics’ Choice Award.  After that, however, Portman didn’t have much luck.  She hasn’t been given a lot of memorable roles since her Oscar-winning work in 2010’s “Black Swan,” but this film finally let us see the full range of her talents once again.  In a film that delved deep into the psyche of Jacqueline Kennedy in the days between her husband’s assassination and funeral, Portman brought everything to the screen when showing the emotional toll the tragedy had on Jackie and her dedication to preserving her husband’s legacy.  Portman displayed a new depth to her acting abilities, and even though she may not be called to the stage on Sunday, you can’t deny that she gave one of the most triumphant performances of 2016. 

Casey Affleck in "Manchester by the Sea"
Photo Credit: Imdb.com

Best Actor: Casey Affleck - “Manchester by the Sea”; Andrew Garfield - “Hacksaw Ridge”; Ryan Gosling - “La La Land”; Viggo Mortensen - “Captain Fantastic”; Denzel Washington - “Fences”

Will Win: Casey Affleck - “Manchester by the Sea” - While the other three acting categories are easy to predict, this is the one that presents a little difficulty.  For his performance as a man trying to cope with his tragic past, Affleck won Best Actor from several major critics groups, as well as the Critics’ Choice Award, the Golden Globe Award for Best Actor - Motion Picture Drama, and the BAFTA Award.  However, what makes Washington a possibility is his surprise win at the Screen Actors Guilds Awards.  And with the BAFTAs, you can’t tell if Washington would have won against Affleck, seeing as the former wasn’t nominated.  But, at this point, Affleck is the frontrunner and could possibly join his brother as an Oscar winner.

Denzel Washington in "Fences"
Photo Credit: Imdb.com

Should Win: Denzel Washington - “Fences” - When it comes to Washington and Affleck, I would be pleased if either one of them ended up winning.  But, despite loving both performances, I have to say Washington slightly edges out Affleck.  As a father dealing with broken dreams in 1950s Pittsburgh, Washington delivered one of the most volcanic performances of 2016.  He portrayed a character who made you boil with anger over the way he treated his family, but made you sympathize with him over the opportunities he lost through the years.  It was a heartbreaking and blistering performance that reminded you why Washington still remains as one of the most respected actors working today and a true force to behold.

Damien Chazelle
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Best Director: Damien Chazelle - “La La Land”; Mel Gibson - “Hacksaw Ridge”; Barry Jenkins - “Moonlight”; Kenneth Lonergan - “Manchester by the Sea”; Denis Villeneuve - “Arrival”

Will Win: Damien Chazelle - “La La Land” - After gaining recognition two years ago for “Whiplash,” Chazelle exploded onto the scene last year with his latest film.  He has won Best Director from a handful of critics groups, at the Critics’ Choice Awards, the Golden Globes, and the Directors Guild of America Awards for Outstanding Directing - Feature Film.  Although I can maybe see Barry Jenkins receiving a surprise win, it’s almost impossible to think Chazelle will lose this race.  The Oscar is his.

Barry Jenkins
Photo Credit: Imdb.com

Should Win: Barry Jenkins - “Moonlight” - Although Jenkins has won Best Director from some prominent critics groups, including the National Board of Review and National Society of Film Critics, he hasn’t had much fortune in the main awards circuit, but he should have.  With a film that was hard-hitting without resorting to sentimentality and a winning combination of acting, editing, music, and cinematography, Jenkins allowed us to follow the life of his protagonist as a child, teenager, and adult in a rough Miami neighborhood as he came to understand his homosexuality.  A memorable aspect of Jenkins’ directing is how he can present the emotions and thoughts of the characters every bit as well in moments without dialogue as scenes with it, displaying a true talent of being able to navigate the minds and feelings of those on screen.  Coming-of-age stories may seem very common these days, but Jenkins offered a singular experience with his latest endeavor.

"La La Land"
Photo Credit: Imdb.com

Best Picture: “Arrival”; “Fences”; “Hacksaw Ridge”; “Hell or High Water”; “Hidden Figures”; “La La Land”; “Lion”; “Manchester by the Sea”; “Moonlight”

Will Win: “La La Land” - Damien Chazelle’s musical came into command of awards seasons ever since it brought home eight wins from the Critics’ Choice Awards.  It then achieved a record of seven awards at the Golden Globes a month later, winning in all of its categories.  If this success didn’t already make it the frontrunner for Best Picture, its win from the Producers Guild of America Awards for Best Theatrical Motion Picture (an award that’s usually an indicator of who will receive the Oscar for Best Picture) has guaranteed the film will win the biggest prize of the night.  The film’s story of a hopeful actress and jazz pianist falling in love in Los Angeles has been embraced by both critics and audiences, and it’s pretty much guaranteed this will win the most coveted prize of the night.

"Moonlight"
Photo Credit: Imdb.com

Should Win: “Moonlight” - This year, I had a lot of trouble deciding which movie I feel should win Best Picture, with “Moonlight,” “Manchester by the Sea,” and “Arrival” all pulling me in different directions.  So much so, that I attended additional screenings for those films, which allowed me to have them fresh in my mind and compare my thoughts between them.  In the end, though, “Moonlight” is who should win.  Aside from winning Best Picture from various critics groups, its only big Best Picture win for the major awards shows was at the Golden Globes, where it was named Best Motion Picture - Drama.  After that, the chances of “Moonlight” winning Best Picture at the Oscars have dwindled, which is a shame because it was one of the most intimate moviegoing experiences of 2016, with so many factors that worked together flawlessly to bring this story to realization.  Just like with Best Director, there’s an outside chance this could win Best Picture, but it’s not very likely.  In the end, however, this is the film that deserves the top honor.

The 89th Academy Awards will air this Sunday, February 26, on ABC at 8:30 p.m.