Chameleon Naomie Harris Shines as Rookie Cop in Black and Blue
It seems to be open season for black and brown people in THESE United States. I remember vividly, nearly 20 years ago, when an LAPD officer responded to a loud Halloween costume party at a Benedict Canyon mansion, where 39 year-old actor Anthony Dwain was shot multiple times through a window and killed. History would repeat itself when Atatiana Jefferson was inside playing video games with her nephew, when officer Aaron Dean shot and killed Jefferson through the window in her own home. In both instances, the responding officers failed to identify themselves.
What happens when the tables are turned and you are a female rookie cop? A cop, returning from war in Afghanistan, with a desire to shift her home town of New Orleans into a safer, better place to live. Alicia West (Naomie Harris) knows all too well the prejudice of white cops against black and brown people, as she is harassed and detained while out for a run. After confirming her ID, and discovering she is ‘black and blue,’ they let her go with no apology while barking, “We’re looking for someone fitting your description…you know how it is.” Unfortunately, yes she does and so do we.
Shortly afterwards, while filling in on an overnight shift for her new partner, Kevin (Reid Scott), West is the unfortunate witness to a triple homicide murder by her fellow boys in blue, which is all captured on her body cam. In the run for her life, Mouse (Tyrese Gibson), a grocery store owner, who assists in her initial escape becomes her confidante and literally the only person she can trust.
The premise of this Deon Taylor directed suspense, thriller is something we have seen onscreen before in films like Training Day, The Fugitive and so many others. But, Deon Taylor knows how to keep an audience invested while producing and telling stories which unapologetically feature people of color in the forefront.
Naomie Harris‘ work speaks for itself. How else can someone go from being a a crack-addicted Mom in Moonlight to a Bond girl in Skyfall to a female Terminator-esque/Training Day rookie cop in Black and Blue? Harris is a chameleon in the best sense of the word and her acting/physical skills are impressive to say the least. Harris makes this film totally worth the thrill ride.
If you love Deon Taylor, Naomie Harris or Tyrese Gibson, you will absolutely be on board with all the drama and intrigue Black and Blue has to offer when it hits screens on October 25 produced by Hidden Empire and Sony Pictures.
Carla Renata
I love, love love movies, watching them and discussing them...thus the birth of The Curvy Film Critic!!! Host/Producer/FilmCritic,Carla Renata is a member of such esteemed organizations as Critics Choice Association (Co-President Documentary Branch and Board Member), African American Film Critics Association and Online Association of Female Film Critics. My op-eds or features have been seen in Variety , RogerEbert.com, The Wrap The Cherry Picks, as well as being a frequent Guest Contributor to Fox 11-LA, Good Day LA, ET Live!, Turner Classic Movies, The Cherry Picks, The Stream Team (Beond TV) ITV, Fox Soul's The Black Report, The ListTV and more. Catch my reviews on The Curvy Critic with Carla Renata - LIVE!!! Sundays 5pm PST via You Tube or Facebook Live. If you like what you read please shout me out and subscribe to The Curvy Critic on YouTube. You can chat with me across all social media platforms @TheCurvyCritic and as always, thanks for supporting a sista'
8 Comments
Pete Fowling
How is this a rotten tomato review. It’s not reinventing the wheel but you say it’s a good movie with a great lead performance? Am very confused. Recommend or not?
Carla Renata
The performances are good. The movie is ok. There is an audience of people that LOVE Deon Taylor films. If you are a fan of his work, go see it. Period. It’s up to you to decide if this is film YOU want to see. It’s up to me to share MY opinion. You don’t have to like or agree with it on Rotten Tomatoes or anywhere else. Period.
Pete Dowling
Was just saying I was confused because to me your review reads positive overall.
Carla Renata
When you came at me with “how is this a rotten tomatoes review”…naturally I felt like I was being attacked for my opinion…which is precisely why I responded the way that I did. I had a good time screening this film which is what I hope the viewing public that decides to go will experience.
Pete Dowling
Hey Carla, on Rotten Tomatoes your review has changed from Rotten to fresh. So I wasn’t crazy for being confused. It seemed they’d got it wrong based on your review. Keep up the good work.
Carla Renata
Thanks Pete 🙏🏽
Michael
Someone doesn’t agree with her opinion and she feels attacked. Surprise surprise.
Carla Renata
It’s not about someone agreeing with my opinion. It’s about attacking me for having one. Just like YOU coming to MY page to passive aggressively comment on such on an interaction that had a positive resolution.😙