60s-based civil-rights drama whose heavy-handed art-house style makes it a long frustrating watch
60s-based civil-rights drama "Nickel Boys" has noble intent, but the heavy-handed art-house approach (including first-person POV shooting) of writer / director RaMell Ross (with his second movie) renders it a LONG (2hrs 20mins), frustrating, painful watch. Good African-American teen Ethan Herisse is unfairly incarcerated in the Nickel Academy reform school (with the likes of Brandon Wilson & Luke Tennie, under staff like Hamish Linklater & Fred Hechinger) where he witnesses corruption & abuse. Ross' huge imbalance of style over substance makes almost all the performances appear poor however, and dilutes the film's message. It is a mess, which is a shame.
- danieljfarthing
- Feb 3, 2025