I got a chance to attend a screening of this new movie Beyond The Lights at Blogalicious 6 in San Antonio, TX. I won’t lie I really did not expect to like this movie. I thought it was gonna be a sappy, mediocre drama that would not be appealing to a woman of a certain age like me. No shade to the actors or directors but today’s movies generally do nothing for me and I usually wait for the video. Boy was I mistaken. I have no problem admitting when I am wrong. I was SO pleasantly surprised by this movie. I went through an entire gamut of emotions as I watched. I laughed, I cried, I felt both sorrow and joy. Its a very well written story of acceptance, romance, struggle and reinvention. The movie starred two fairly new up and coming actors: Nate Parker (Red Tails) and Gugu Mbatha-Raw. It was written/directed by Gina Prince-Blythewood who also wrote and produced Love & Basketball. There was a cameo appearance by the great Chaka Khan (Chaka Khan) and supporting roles that included two of my favorites Minnie Driver (loved her since Sleepers, Good Will Hunting) & Danny Glover (loved him since The Color Purple).
The story is about a young female mega star (Noni) who has the entire world at her feet, yet is still miserably unhappy and a dashing young police officer (Kaz) soon to be politician. The two cross paths at a very critical moment for them both and the fireworks start from there. She is very beautiful and also selfish, sad & spoiled while he is quiet with a super subtle strength/confidence that I just fell in love with. Both are young with their whole lives ahead but they both struggle to identify their individuality. Their over bearing parents are just fodder for this unlikely romance but it happens anyway and its just beautiful. I’m not gonna tell it all cause i really want you to go see it and support this Black film. And did I mention the soundtrack? I’ll be first in line when that comes out!
Getting to see the screening was amazing because the director Gina Prince-Blythewood was in the house to give us the full 411 of where her thoughts were when she wrote this movie and where she drew from to create the characters. I was blown away! A lot of people are comparing this movie to The Body Guard, but I beg to differ. It had all of the components of something a bit more deeper than that fleeting romance film. More like a Shakespeare piece to me… Romeo & Juliet maybe? But how about we let it be what it is. Original & awesome. It will be a classic for sure.
Beyond The Lights opens in theaters across the US on 11/14/2014!
You can follow the conversation about the movie on twitter with this hashtag: #BeyondTheLights
What is your favorite Black love story?
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