I had heard I Smile Back was dark, but a movie with the word "smile" in its title and Sarah Silverman in the lead couldn't be that dark, could it? Wrong. And I think it will find a huge audience among teenagers and those who grew up in the 1990s. I imagine when it hits theaters in mid-June, it will be tightened up a bit. And the joke of who can and cannot use the N-word is worn out in my opinion.Īlthough the film has a satisfying ending, it veered off to too much social commentary and seemed frenzied. And how could you not love a film with music by Pharrell? However, having grown up in the South, it is hard for me to hear the N-word used so casually, even if it is among blacks. It is current and energetic, with talented actors who have a magnetic on-screen chemistry.
I wanted to love the movie and indeed, there, is much to like. Obsessed with punk rock and 1990s hip-hop culture, they are outcasts who are often bullied.īut when an invitation to a party results in a shooting, they escape with a stash of Ecstasy that threatens to destroy their Ivy League aspirations. This coming-of age story centers on African-American teenager Malcolm (Shameik Moore) and his two high school geek pals in a Los Angeles crime-ridden neighborhood. The film was produced by Forest Whitaker who provides part of the film's narration. It won the Special Jury Award for Excellence in Editing and in one of the most frenzied bidding wars of the festival, Open Road Films and Sony Pictures acquired the Rick Famuyiwa-directed film for $7 million (consider that Whiplash was acquired for a comparatively paltry $3.3 million last year). In a frenzied bidding war, Fox Searchlight acquired the film for a record breaking $12 million and expects to premiere it later this year.ĭope also came out of nowhere to become the talk of Sundance. Gomez-Rejon dedicated the audience award to all filmmakers and artists in his hometown of Laredo, Texas. Me and Earl followed in the steps of Whiplash last year, claiming top prizes from the Sundance jury and the audience award winner, no doubt a good omen for its big screen prospects. It is a magical film.Īlthough it is probably obvious how the film ends, there are numerous surprises and unexpected turns. It is easy to think "been there, seen that," particularly with similarly-themed movies like The Fault In Our Stars already having been in theaters, but such sentiments do not do justice to the witty, sophisticated and heart tugging script. A friendship blossoms that, while not romantic, is intense, nuanced and leads Greg to discover more about himself and life.
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