Lift

I saw this at the Chicago International Film Festival. The co-directors and screenwriters have to be applauded for mixing the age old plot about mother-daughter conflict with fresh crime drama. I found it intriguing that one of the reasons the main character was stealing was to gain attention and affection from her mercenary mom (the fabulous Lonette McKee). The detail that was put into presenting the world of boosting was excellent. The people responsible for the film explained that they have a hard time marketing it because of plot elements, having an African-American female lead (who's not Angela Bassett, Vivica A. Fox or Halle Berry), and not having a typical neat Hollywood ending. This is a good film, however; don't miss it if it comes by you.

I actually saw this show at the Sundance Film Festival and met Kery Washington. This movie was well done and Washington was exceptional in her role. She will excel as an actress if given the chance to do so. However, this is a difficult movie to mass market and appeal to a wide audience. This movie is not for the casual viewer. The challenge faced by Washingtons character is vividly seen and makes you feel for her. Yet in the end it's hard to feel bad for her because of her choices. The frustration lies with the people she surrounds herself with. At times she has the chance to chose a better life but does not due to her environment. Her potential is precluded with her bad habit.

I must say give the filmmakers and cast credit for making a sincere effort to bring a relevant social drama to the screen. It is also good to see such films that would otherwise be overlooked get made with limited funding. Nevertheless, "LIft" is proof that an adequate screenplay, a capable cast and a worthy subject manner do not always turn into good movies. Much of the action is stilted, and the dramatic scenes are ruined by amateur directing and theatrical acting. The film feels forced and there are plot twists which seem to come straight from "Guiding Light." I think, however, films like this need to be viewed and studied for those of us who are chasing the unicorn that is filmmaking. On paper, and perhaps even in the editting room, this may have well appeared to be a good film. Alas, a good recipe and the right ingredients do not always guarantee a good pie. Just as there are films which would have seemed awful in a board room but turned out quite good, this one simply falls short but a worthy effort nonetheless.

If I never see another film, my thirst for sincere and captivating performances will be quenched by the shining Ms. Washington and the amazing Barbara Montgomery. This film, despite its rather gloomy setting, is eventually all about redemption and hope. The stories of those in Lift are noble, real narratives about love, courage, and transformations. This powerful film makes a fitting and powerful commentary about the dangers of materialism and about internalizing mainstream (read: white) notions of beauty and worth, especially for those in the African American community.

A popular hit at this years Sundance Film Fest, Lift showed how love and money, family and friends can become confused in the search for status. Niecy works at a ritzy department store which covers for her real job as a steal to order shoplifter. All her friends love her as long as she delivers the goods. Even her mother pressures her for extravagant presents. Her boyfriend smokes pot, dreams of being a rap producer and looks down on her shoplifting "business" while hypocritically Nicey looks down on him for smoking pot! When she has to join forces with a gang leader to lift an especially expensive gift for her mother the pressure and fate conspire and her world crumbles. Filmed in Boston with an almost completely African- American cast, Lift doesn't take the easy cliched way out, but explores the well drawn characters emotions and their limitations. A solid, well crafted drama.