My quick rating - 5,3/10. I really don't think a movie title has been so spot on as for a description of a movie. "The Angry Black Girl And Her Monster" presents a unique premise that captures the attention right from the start. With a title that aptly describes the film's essence, it promises an engaging story of a brilliant teenager, Vicaria, played wonderfully by Laya DeLeon Hayes, who becomes determined to resurrect her murdered brother, fueled by her belief that death can be cured. However, despite its promising concept, the execution falls short, resulting in a movie that fails to fully explore its potential. One strength lies in its lead character, Vicaria, who is portrayed with depth and complexity. You are given insight into her intellect and emotional struggles, which makes her journey all the more compelling. Hayes delivers a noteworthy performance, capturing Vicaria's anger, grief, and determination in such a manner which shows all the ranges needed to make them believable The movie's themes of grief, loss, and the human desire for immortality are thought-provoking, offering a fresh perspective on familiar subjects. The exploration of death as a curable disease is a fascinating concept that has the potential to delve into profound philosophical questions. Unfortunately, the film only scratches the surface of these themes, failing to dive deeper into their implications and instead falling into more of a zombie type flick. One major drawback is its pacing. The narrative feels rushed at times, hindering the audience's ability to fully invest in the story and its characters. Certain plot developments and character motivations are underdeveloped, leaving gaps in the overall coherence of the film. A more patient approach could have allowed for a more satisfying exploration of Vicaria's emotional journey and the philosophical ramifications of her quest. The visual aesthetics and cinematography are visually striking, creating a haunting atmosphere that adds to the film's dark undertones. Yet at the same time these scenes are strangely unbalanced. While outdoors, things tend to look quite nice while the indoor settings seem to be on a everyday manufactured soundstage. I found this a bit distracting the way they differed so much. That uneven feeling was rampant in the whole production since at times the violence could be brutal while other times so tame. Scenes with tension would never go out with a bang but more with a whimper. It really is a shame because I wanted to like this one so much especially with the good things it had going for it. For a first time full length feature, Bomani J. Story surely has given us something worth checking out. With more attention to storytelling and thematic depth, this film could have been a powerful exploration of grief and the limits of human ambition.
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