Jordan Peele (Get Out) is the producer on HIM, a film from director/cowriter Justin Tipping, and the result is a confusing, nightmare (in many ways) of a film that proves to be a disappointment.
A young boy dreams of being a pro football star like his idol, Isaiah White (Marlon Wayans). As an adult, Cameron Cade (Tyriq Withers) is participating in a major combine when he is attacked by a mysterious figure and left with potential brain damage. Desperate to succeed, he accepts help from his idol, White, now an aged star, who acts as an unorthodox mentor. What follows is an intense regimen including brutal workouts and psychological torture that tests his limits and sanity. Will he be able to handle the harsh, mind numbing training (which includes blood transfusions) and still survive? It all leads to a surprising, diabolical reveal.
The story starts out promisingly about a talented athlete, and whether he has what it takes to be the best but quickly devolves into, simply put, a convoluted, surreal mess. What could have been a study on the physical and psychological sacrifice of White and the highly competitive nature of being elite, deviates into tangents and loses its audience. Unfortunately, the only good thing to recommend here are two good performances (by Wayans and Withers) and not much else. Certainly, there is a visual talent on display, but for what purpose and to what end? The film, bereft of a decent script, gets progressively more confusing and disturbing without a clear, rational narrative. It’s a case of wasted talent and technique.
This
is a graphic study of obsession that leads to an empty resolution. Someday, Tipping may create a more coherent, effective film. This isn’t it.
**
of ***** stars (a * for each lead actor)
No comments:
Post a Comment