Review of The Bookshop (2017) by Lanre O — 14 Sep 2018

How can losing everything you've worked for somehow seem like a good thing? It's almost as if that's the question this film attempts to answer. It begins innocently enough: the main character, Florence Green, a forward-thinking entrepreneurial visionary, tries to overcome every hurdle she can to open a bookshop, while much of her surrounding community - particularly those that come from money - is against the idea.

At the exact moment when Ms. Green's dream finally comes to fruition, the higher powers that be attempt everything they can to snatch it from her. Before long, the initially simplistic plot takes a number of unexpected twists and turns.

The sheer amount of deceit involved in trying to derail Ms. Green's vision will leave you nothing short of frustrated by the end of the film. Yet somehow, in some strange way, you'll find yourself at peace with the outcome.