Review of White Boy Rick (2018) by Monty D — 16 Sep 2018

White Boy Rick is a movie for a film-buff or an average movie lover looking for something original and different, yet cinematic and filled with great performances. This film is exactly that, bringing almost every element from its masterful trailer into the movie itself.

The dark eighties atmosphere given off is always present giving the movie a very unique feel. Director Yann Demange does a brilliant job of bringing the best out of the cast and bringing you into the movie, making you feel like you're present in during all of the different experiences and situations Ricky Weshe and his family find themselves in.

The biggest part of this film that makes it so different is the structure. Many people were rather frustrated with the way it was paced, and while there are some pacing flaws, I did not find this to be a problem.

Compared to other movies which have the classic rising action-climax-falling action structure, this movie was more of a character study that follows no particular structure. Instead, you are taken along this surprisingly emotional journey of a teenager doing things no other teenager has ever done, while dealing with his family life and living in Detroit.

The film is extremely effective in its own unique way, and I loved that about it. While seeing it focus your critical senses on the visual beauty of the cinematography and wonderful performances by every single actor within the film, and the trip it takes you on.

You'll leave the theater wanting more, which leads me to the main problem of this film. There was much more they could have shown and done in the script, and unfortunately it seemed as if there were many cuts from the original movie before it was finalized to be released.

Though you will most likely walk out of the theater satisfied, you may have just wished for a little more, mainly due to the extremely appealing performances, directing, and cinematography. However, White Boy Rick is still most definitely worth seeing.

And one last thing I feel the need to say. Ignore all of these shallow minded critics that have put this film down. It seems that many of them are so closed minded about so many films, and they set so many expectations in their heads that when they finally see a movie like this, they automatically judge it to the harshest degree.

The way I believe is the best way to critique a movie is to analyze its effectiveness, rather than to judge it by its textbook "flaws" AKA its differences (which is sadly what most critics are doing these days.

) White Boy Rick is extremely effective. Watch this film. 9/10.