By Robert Yaniz Jr.

DAY 25 OF THE 2018 HOLIDAY BINGE

Race relations gets a wholly original, rhyme-heavy spin inCarlos López Estrada’s debut feature.

THE HYPE

In a year marked by the cultural phenomenon of Black Panther, it feels right that 2018 has brought so many fresh and distinctive voices to theaters when it comes to the subject of race. Between Ryan Coogler’s Marvel smash, Boots Riley’s Sorry to Bother You and Spike Lee’s  BlackKklansman, moviegoers have been treated to visions of the African-American experience that have been simultaneously poignant, hilarious and thrilling. Go ahead and add Blindspotting to that list, as it stands as one of the year’s best films.

THE STORY

Told through the perspective of friends/co-workers Collin (Daveed Diggs of Hamilton fame) and Miles (Rafael Casal), the film touches on everything from police brutality, racial stereotypes and identity to spin a rich tapestry that owes more than a little to the cultural resonance of hip hop music amidst it all. Both a damning portrait of and a love letter to its Oakland setting, Blindspotting is a testament to how the finest and most widely resonant art stems from the most personal stories.

THE CAST

Although Diggs and Casal are both in top form here. The latter has a more thankless role with the less likeable of the two, but the former easily has the meatier role. In fact, his performance is by far among the best we’ve seen this year. We empathize with Collin’s plight, as he is both a product of his community as well as the larger societal construct he cannot ever truly escape. With every bit of dialogue (spoken or rapped), Diggs adds a new wrinkle to his character. It’s a phenomenal turn that should be vying for all the major awards.

THE PRODUCTION

In addition to co-headlining the film, Diggs and Casal also co-wrote the script and dominate its soundtrack, which drives the film as much as Estrada’s confident direction and its two lead performances. Blindspotting is clearly a passion project for all involved, and the love for the material drips off the screen. Rarely do we see such a refined, tightly wound bit of social commentary, let alone one that brings such a new take on topics that have been addressed time and again on the big screen. But here we are.

THE VERDICT

The fact that Blindspotting isn’t at the forefront of the awards conversation is indeed a travesty. With a complex, layered script and a jaw-droppingly raw performance by Diggs, the film has the earmarks of a classic in the making. Not only does the film encapsulate much of the conversation surrounding race, it does so in a way that audiences have never seen before. Hilarious, harrowing and insightful, stop what you’re doing and track down Blindspotting now.

Blindspotting stars Daveed Diggs,Rafael Casal, Janina Gavankar, Jasmine Cephas Jones and Ethan Embry and is directed by Carlos López Estrada.