Nickel Boys – Budget of $23.2 million – 2 hours and 20 minutes
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Elwood lives with his grandmother, Hattie, after losing his mother. He is attentive in school and dreams of going to college. His teacher, Mr. Hill, doesn’t teach American History from the textbooks. He encourages his students to be free-thinkers, question authority, and demand change in the Jim Crow South. Mr. Hill sees promise in Elwood and gives Elwood a pamphlet for a free college. Elwood decides to hitchhike to the school and apply. A man pulls over and offers Elwood a ride. Later, police pull the man over. They arrest the man and Elwood for stealing the car. The judge sends Elwood to Nickel Academy, a segregated reform school for boys.
It doesn’t take long for Elwood to uncover that the staff treats black and white students differently. White students get nicer clothes, food, and assignments. He considers changing the dynamics until he meets Turner. Turner warns Elwood that there are four ways to leave Nickel Academy: do your time, age out, run away, or die. Elwood believes there’s a 5th way: change it. Decades later, the state is investigating the academy. It triggers panic attacks in Elwood because the state needs witnesses. Can Elwood testify and come to terms with his past?
Based on the novel The Nickel Boys by Colson Whitehead, the director intentionally shot the movie from different perspectives (FTC Affiliate Disclaimer). It gives Elwood’s point of view from his childhood through his teens. The point of view switches when Elwood meets Turner. You see Elwood and the school through Turner’s perspective and vice versa. You see their reflection in windows, irons, and mirrors. Once Elwood enters adulthood, the camera changes to a birds-eye view. The audience floats above Elwood’s head as he works, loves, and confronts his demons. This director does this to shock the audience during the final reveal. This film features abuse, but you don’t see it. You feel it. The sheer fear and panic before Elwood’s beating will make you tense up. This story will stick with you, especially after learning about the school that inspired the book. This film is an extraordinary watch if you can handle it.
I give it 5 out of 5 stars
If everybody looks the other way, then everybody’s in on it – Elwood
Sometimes they put you in hell – Turner
What are they feeding y’all – Hattie
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