Review of Passing (2021) by Indiefilmlover — 03 Nov 2021

In an age of superheroes, reboots, and formulas, it's refreshing to see a film that assumes the audence has some intelligence. "Passing," actor Rebecca Hall's feature directing debut is one such film.

It deals with the underexplored subject of "passing" (when an African American passes themselves off as White). Rather that spell everything out for you, the film, based on a 1929 novel by Nella Larsen, allows you as the viewer to interpret what you see through your own perspective.

The result is a film that is in equal measure challenging as it is rewarding. The cast headed by Tessa Thompson and Ruth Negga is first rate. Eduard Grau's black & white cinematography is superb.

To fully appreciate this provocative film, it requires your undivided attention, so if don't see it in the theatre, be sure to eliminate anything that may distract from your experience. Hall, whose maternal grandfather, Norman Isaac Ewing, an African American who passed (alternately for White and Native American), demonstrates an obvious personal connection to the material.

Not since Julie Dash's short film, "Illusions," has there been a film that deals with the subject of passing with such sophistication.