Geremy Jasper's fever dream of an apocalyptic musical is part Luhrmann's Romeo & Juliet and part Julie Taymor's Across the Universe. It is chaotic with an overly simplistic plot but visually and musically it is stunning. Sink shines and Bartlett is a camp daddy. But it all worked for me.
Following up his impressive Patty Cake$ with another music based film, Jasper has laid it all on the line. He commits fully and even when it slips a bit O'Dessa remains fun. The film attempts to be epic and it doesn't quite scale those heights, but with a combo of captivating original songs, a bold vision, and a charismatic central star, O'Dessa is certainly something to remember even if it feels like its story is a little on the routine side. I'd love to have seen Jasper tell a more revolutionary story than this.
Perhaps in this specific time in history these tales of speaking (or singing) truth to power can feel a little fantastical when we see oppression not being thwarted by good intentioned chosen ones. But I digress, cause O'Dessa was captivating and might inspire the spirit of resistance through song.
O'Dessa
Starring: Sadie Sink, Kelvin Harrison Jr., Murray Bartlett, Regina Hall
Writer/Director: Geremy Jasper
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