Blindspotting (2018)

What makes a great film? So much goes into it. But often it is about how everything comes together. Fascinating and layered performances. Direction which captures not only the story telling beats needed to convey a narrative but the emotional beats underpinning each moment. Visuals which suck its audience into the feelings and story. Music and poetry to make it all such a beautiful thing. Watching Blindspotting I was reminded of the thrill I get when I am watching a great film for the first time.

This is the story of Collin (Daveed Diggs) serving out the last 3 days of his parole and the way everything appears to conspire against his success. But Collin is alive and Collin is joyous for moments, terrified in others, pushing through in others. His friendship with childhood friend Miles, played by his co-screenwriter and real life childhood friend Rafael Casal, is one of the most honest and beautifully drawn friendships on screen.

First time feature director Carlos Lopez Estrada is bold, brash, and fantastic in the way he tells their story. He films like an artist, filling each moment with beauty. He takes some serious risks and the mostly pay off, and when they don't they remain rather glorious. Blindspotting is a beautiful thing to watch.

And the story is palpably intense. Edge of your seat is often used to describe action films but I spent my time perched on the edge of mine for emotional reasons. Estrada and his cast create something electric here and it is fantastic. Blindspotting never falls into tropes or cliches, always defying where I thought it was going to go. And as the credit rolled I knew I saw something special and have found three talents to ensure to keep an eye on.

Blindspotting
Starring: Daveed Diggs, Rafael Casal, Janina Gavankar, Jasmine Cephas Jones, Wayne Knight
Director: Carlos Lopez Estrada 
Writers: Daveed Diggs, Rafael Casal