“Kicks” is one of the best and freshest independent films of the year, yet ingenious and original.
This new coming-of-age story builds tension in eighty minutes of wondering characters surviving in the slums of America.
 |
| Courtesy of Focus Features |
The first fifteen minutes of the film seem to be the longest Nike Air Jordan’s commercial ever.
This story is not about an ordinary tennis shoe, it is about "THE JORDANS."
Once the main character starts looking for what is worth in life, is when the action takes off.
This story is not about an ordinary tennis shoe, it is about "THE JORDANS."
Once the main character starts looking for what is worth in life, is when the action takes off.
 |
| Courtesy of Focus Features |
Brandon, after being beaten up in a very humiliating incident - he and his friends set off on a quest to recuperate his biggest treasure, his stolen tennis shoes.
A confrontation like that happens all the time anywhere, it is real - people can get killed over a backpack.
 |
| Courtesy of Focus Features |
The teen-drama moves from a small, impoverished ghetto to a bigger and more dangerous part of the town, where the big boys play with huge cars, easy girls, loaded guns and plenty of drugs.
 |
| Courtesy of Focus Features |
 |
| Flaco is played by Kofi Siriboe Courtesy of Focus Features |
Flaco tries to teach a lesson to his son, but he has no moral authority over him - this is a fundamental element woven through the plots and subplots of the movie.
“Kicks” underlines a cycle of abuse. The irony comes when someone preaches respect, while he is no respecting those who are vulnerable.
 |
| Courtesy of Focus Features |
Justin said: “I was terrified the first day of shooting! It was like a weird experience and at the same time, it was incredible to work with all of those talented kids.”
 |
| Director, co-writer Justin Tipping, Photo by Jose A Hermosillo, Copyright Festival in LA, 2016 |
The musical evolution of the film unfolds the drama.
The director, cleverly, incorporated hip-hop in the beginning to foreshadowing the rap that plays later, showing the transformation of a fragile teenager molding into a tough young adult.
The director, cleverly, incorporated hip-hop in the beginning to foreshadowing the rap that plays later, showing the transformation of a fragile teenager molding into a tough young adult.
 |
| Jahking Guillory as Brandon, Photo by Jose A Hermosillo Copyright Festival in LA 2016 |
In the desolated universe of “Kicks,”there is a ray of hope where friendship remains unbroken. The film is slightly predictable but satisfies the audience who cheers for the main character, the vulnerable teen who wants to take justice into his own hands. If he succeeds or not, this is worth trying.
No comments:
Post a Comment