Minutes before the lights dimmed and the film started, a still photo was on the big screen: a young couple embracing in bliss. And I thought to myself, "Oh, crap! This is gonna be one of those movies. You know, sappy, overdramatic"”perfect for cable TV. Not HBO cable TV, VH1 cable TV. But another possibility was that this could be a decent movie, maybe even a good movie. And usually, I am so"”freakin'"”right! But this time, I was so"”freakin'"”wrong.
Writer-director Gina Prince-Bythewood (Love & Basketball, The Secret Life of Bees) may have created one of the most underrated movies of the year. Beyond the Lights is about Noni (Mbatha-Raw), a rising popstar who tries to commit suicide but is quickly saved by a noble cop (Parker). With her album release coming up, Noni must keep the truth underwraps while a romance with her hero unfolds. I was surprised by how strong the movie started and how the movie's ambient score takes us on a journey that is actually deeper than it appears to be.
Gugu Mbatha-Raw knocks it out of the park. She shows much more range here than with her character in Belle, another movie she starred in earlier this year. I now know why Hollywood insiders have been buzzing about her. Nate Parker's performance is also solid, and the two of them have a genuine on-screen chemistry. Minnie Driver and Danny Glover also chip in with good work, especially Driver who plays Mbatha-Raw's overbearing mother and manger.
With a premise like this, it appears easy to dismiss it. But the film executes the three act structure better than most of the movies I've seen in awhile. I can see other critics arguing that this movie may have a lot of overacting in it, but I see strong performances that are justified by the situations. What happens to these characters is plausible because of the choices they make. The film sets up multiple situations"”and they actually pay off!
Other critics may cry, "The on-screen romance is a cliché!" But if the argument is, "Guy meets girl, they fall in love and faces problems that could end their relationship", then sure, it follows a formula. Almost all romance films do! But the key of whether the movie is great is not in its formula but in the context of the couple's romance. The story passes the test because the plot unfolds in a way that keeps us engrossed with stakes that matter and also get raised. However, my critical issues with the film are minor: a few lines of tired dialogue and some montage sequences that don't add to the story.
But the film is effective in showing a young woman finding her true worth and her identity after a sobering breakdown. This love story may look superficial on the surface, but it's not. This movie isn't about two people hooking up. It's about human beings learning to see each other. And when you watch Beyond the Lights, you are watching a movie that isn't afraid to tell the truth. And that's music to my ears.
