Netflix 'Passing' Review: Rebecca Hall's gentle film about a brutal subject is glorious
The issue of racial identity has always been a subject of debate in most countries, especially the USA. History has shown us how people from the Black community were treated and even the rich, affluent members of the community were not safe. The issue has been tackled in numerous projects over the years, but no one has quite done it like Rebecca Hall in Netflix’s latest film ‘Passing’.
The movie, based on the novel of the same name by Nella Larsen, is set in Manhattan at the height of the Harlem Renaissance. Shot in black-and-white, it tells the story of two women – Irene (Tessa Thompson) and Clare (Ruth Negga) – rekindling their friendship after years apart. However, a lot has changed over the years. Irene, a light-skinned Black woman, who can pass it for a white, is living a comfortable life with her husband and two sons. On the other hand, Clare, who is also a light-skinned Black woman, is living a luxurious life with her husband John (Alexander Skarsgard).
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Irene could pass for white, but decides to be who she really is. However, Clare has changed and crossed the line entirely by becoming a white woman and marrying a white man who hates Black people. Things change when they both meet and John tells Irene that he hates Black people and he won’t even let them get near her wife. Clare is in despair and meets Irene once again, telling her how she’s unhappy in her life after seeing her perfect family. She starts spending time with Irene’s family and becomes a part of them. Everyone loves her, even Irene’s husband (Andre Holland) and that’s when friction arises because Irene feels that her husband is happy when Clare is around.
Even though the movie is about how Blacks are being treated or brutally beaten up, there isn’t a single scene in the movie that depicts violence by white people. Instead, it gets into the minds of its two central characters who have taken different approaches to living their life and trying to survive. The best thing about the movie is that it doesn’t have lavish and extravagant set pieces and is shot at just 2 or 3 places. Also, the movie is not overly melodramatic and is told by the meaningful looks between the leads.
Rebecca Hall, who has made her debut as a director with this movie, has used expressions and small things to convey a big message.
When it comes to acting, get ready to hear the names Tessa Thompson and Ruth Negga during award ceremonies. Thompson has done a phenomenal job in playing a lady who thinks about “passing” out a white but also knows the difficulties she’ll face after that. Thompson has been one of the brightest talents in the industry and with ‘Passing’ she has shown how brilliant of an actor she is.
Meanwhile, Ruth Negga has delivered another outstanding performance as Clare. Negga is one of the most underrated actors in Hollywood and whenever she is on the screen, we know that something special is going to come up and ‘Passing’ is truly special.
But we just cannot end this review without talking about Rebecca Hall. The English actress has done some outstanding work in recent times, but ‘Passing’ was quite personal for her because while writing the movie she found out that her own Black grandfather had passed as a white man. So, for her, it was like revisiting her own family history. As a director, the movie doesn’t feel like it has been made by a debutant. It feels that Hall knew exactly what she had to do and just executed the plan to perfection while donning the director’s hat. The director uses the 4:3 ratio to show the relationship between the two leads, which makes the frequent close-ups of their faces look even closer.
All in all, ‘Passing’ is undoubtedly one of the best movies of 2021 and will surely be considered during awards season. A simple movie about a brutal issue.