The Killing of Kenneth Chamberlain

Easily one of the best films of 2021, if not THE best - and it'll be a missed hidden gem for far too many people. It's just flawless in nearly every possible scenario, but definitely in the messages it has for the #blacklivesmatter community. This film had me on the edge of my seat the entire time, jaw on the floor. It's tense, it's unbelievable, and the performances all around knock it out of the park. Well-worth the watch.

This picture opens with a quote on how even in "routine situations" Black Americans are terrorized by police. The rest of the movie translates that concept for White America. Like Do the Right Thing, La Haine, or Fruitvale Station, it rewinds a moment of police brutality to show its horrific origins--this time via overzealous cops and a world that fails the mentally ill. But it's art too, with Faison's achingly poetic performance capturing a man's emotional nuance. A masterpiece of empathy.

Really tense movie and sad that this is a true story. Great performances all around. One I thought was especially good that people might not notice as much was the lady on the box who becomes increasingly worried and horrified at what is happening to this man because of a call they made. Although it does seem that was played up compared to the real recordings, same with the way Kenneth acts, but I understand why they did that.

Given that Chamberlain apparently inadvertently but voluntarily requested assistance, the bizarrely melodramatic tone of this film and his stubborn behaviour seems misguided to say the least (and perhaps proves the opening quote true). Taken at face value, the film is far too overwrought and myopic to work as effective drama, though it is nice to see Faison given a rare leading role that he takes full advantage of, delivering a fine performance that the thin screenplay doesn't really deserve.