A Lot of Nothing

A Lot of Nothing is a mostly decent movie with an interesting premise. That premise could have been executed a lot better, but I was still mildly enjoying most of it. My favorite is the character played by Shamier Anderson. And it feels technically well-made.

A few things hold this movie back for me. There are some subplots that seem completely unnecessary and don't fit the rest of the story. I also feel like the story lacks focus with it's themes, partly due to the unnecessary subplots. And when we find out details about the victim late in the movie, I strongly disliked where it went with that.

It's not the worst thing you can do with your time, but this isn't something I'd recommend. (1 viewing, 4/13/2023)

Mo McRae's directorial debut "A Lot of Nothing" tackles a sensitive and relevant topic - police killings of unarmed victims in the Black community. The film follows James and Vanessa, a wealthy Black couple, who perform their own twisted citizen's arrest after learning that their white neighbor and cop killed a kid. The film is audacious and creative in its cinematography and musical score. However, it falls short in its writing, as the characters are poorly developed and serve as mere soundboards for the film's proposed intelligence. The film's themes are not explored with meaningful depth, and the big reveal leaves the film's stance on race and social capital muddled. Despite its weaknesses, McRae shows promise in his direction and artistic capabilities.

I think that when people ask for representation they are asking for that all around. Within the first 15 min you can tell that this is not a story written from the perspective of the characters. It is so hard to make it to the 30 min mark. From the dialogue to the acting.

If you are in the community I would not watch this movie. You will likely be offended. If you are a woman in the community. You are going to be offended as soon as you see Vanessa ( Cleopatra Coleman). From her hair (she needed a BW working on that fro), to her attitude, landing on how she speaks. You can clearly see how the writers view YOU as a human. It is another portrayal of you being seen as hysterical, illogical, jealous, unhinged, and weak. Topped off with submission in the face of the men that control the money.

Then there is James (Y'lan Noel). He is not in control and whines in lieu of taking control when his wife begins to come unhinged. She is clearly upset about a circumstance that involves their neighbor. He also allows her to take over the situation until it gets to the point of no return.

I was done and could no longer continue when Jamal (Shamier Anderson) comes into the picture. The first offensive remark is around 45 min when he is at the door with his pregnant wife/gf. His brother James and his sister in law are deciding if they should open the door. James confesses to Vanessa that he has given his brother a key. Her response, " What kind of emergency? In case we run out of rolling papers."

I made it to the 50 min mark before it was too much to continue. I had a feeling who would write a woman of the community this way. I had to take a look and was laughing...like, of course. I looked at the director. If you know him...you know him. I was like... of course.

If you like Insecure, White Famous or Stowaway, save yourself the time. Do not watch. You are going to be upset at how these actors have been reduced.

This movie really was a whole lot of nothing. It talked about any and every thing. Police killings, treatment of women in the workplace, treatment of black men in the workplace, marriage, cheating, lying. There's probably something else I'm missing.

So what was the point? Hypocrisy. At least that's what I got from it.

But let's be honest, this movie could have been a LOT shorter. A smooth 75 minutes would have been more than enough. The big reveal honestly had me going to see who exactly had written and directed this movie. And then I was shocked. I didn't mind watching it once but I definitely wouldn't sit through it again.

A Lot Of Nothing begins with a shot. Vanessa watches the news. Her anger erupts while her husband, James, weary of the world's temperament, and perhaps with his wife's as well, seeks to deflect. But Vanessa wants - demands - that this time something has to be done. Will a Facebook post heavy with MLK quotes settle the matter? Or should an act of violence beget a violent reciprocation?

The first 17 minutes presents a single-shot, two-man performance about confronting, channeling, and ultimately grounding that rage. The remainder of the run time runs through a series of more complicated actions, most of which are heavy with cinematic posturing. However, the entire play hits with modern-day truths that are equally complex.

Written and directed by Mo McRae, A Lot of Nothing shows that James and Vanessa are not entirely wrong. Yet, neither are they completely right. James enjoys his position of power and can masterfully either feign ignorance or fume in silence. Vanessa is all righteous fury until her passions move too quickly and too far out in a place beyond where James' smooth-talking counseling can reach. Brian, the cop, hits all the right cliches, until he doesn't. The movie follows similarly.

Vanessa takes matters into her own hands and confronts Brian. Tensions, of course, escalate. As do actions. Maybe a little too quickly. Perhaps even unbelievably.

A Lot of Nothing is a hard drama with comedic-level misunderstandings about the racial divides and general mistrust that regrettably continue to exist. Mo McRae's movie starts the conversation, asks critical questions, but cannot seem to come up with a satisfying end note.