"Luce" is a compelling and powerful dramatic film about race, prejudice, trust, and individual potential from director Julius Onah. When "stern" teacher Ms. Wilson makes an alarming discovery about Luce, an all-star athlete and academic high school student, his white parents are forced to reckon with their idealized image of their black son, adopted 10 years previous from a war-torn African country. Based on JC Lee's off-Broadway play of the same title, "Luce" raises questions about the roles that parents and teachers play in the lives of teenagers.
Many of the events in this film unfold casually. Luce seems to be a regular, albeit high achieving, student who goes to class, track practice, and debate. He does his homework and hangs out with his friends. He has a good relationship with his parents who love him and want him to succeed. But boiling under the surface is a tug-of-war of conscious between the person he feels his really is, and the expectations that everyone else has for him. As a star pupil and athlete, there's always a drive for perfection that is heightened because of his race. The pressure builds, especially when he sees injustices around him and that infractions are held to different standards based on student achievement and color. The character of Luce isn't being held to a standard of "equality" with his other classmates. Because of his color, he has to be "more." He has to be "better." He can't just "be."
The acting in this film is absolutely gripping. Octavia Spencer brings gravitas to the role of Ms. Wilson who is tough, strong, and steeped with a sense of overwhelming duty to mete out justice. Newcomer Kelvin Harrison Jr. as Luce combines gentleness and toughness, drawing the viewer in with his vivacious personality and winning smile, while just keeping a lid on the inner turmoil and conflict that burns within his character.
Julius Onah's film is highly personal. Like Luce, he was born in Africa, raised by white parents, and his family settled in Arlington, Va., where the film is set. "Luce" could be his own story, and it was clear in the talk back after the screening that Onah has grappled with similar identity issues. Do people see him for who he is, or for the person they want him to be? Can he be his own person, or does he have to be symbol or token of others' expectations?
"Luce" is one of the best films at Sundance this year. It unfolds like a good mystery. As the layers are pulled back and revealed, we learn more and more about the complexities of perception in our society, and our unrealistic expectations of others. It deals with important issues about race and trust in an emotional and gripping way, raising more questions than it answers, and providing a springboard for conversation.
"Luce" Rose Wagner Performing Art Centre January 31, 2019
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