BRUISER (2022)

 

Directed By: Miles Warren 

Written By: Miles Warren and Ben Medina 

Cinematography: Justin Derry 

Editor: James LeSage

Cast: Jalyn Hall, Trevante Rhodes, Shamier Anderson, Shinelle Azoroh, Sarah Bock

A 14-year-old boy turns to a charismatic loner for help after being beaten up, in this searing feature debut about fathers, families, and the effects of fighting.

This is a film that has some great direction and filmmaking, but the material while enriched also doesn’t come off as well.

The film is a character study that focuses on three characters in particular. Which feels a bit too much. It’s understandable as you want to give the two forces their understanding and see their strengths and weaknesses. As well as what they seem to be fighting over, the boy also gets his time to get to know him.

Though most of the film is trying to be a coming-of-age story. Highlight the two men who want to be the boy's father. As though they both care about him. He comes off more as a prize than anything else and an extension of their rivalry that seems will never end. Nor truly be satisfied as both will never back down.

This is truly showcased in the end and l truly shows who matters as he is saved from a lesson his mother taught him early on in the film. She seems to be the only parent who loves him and thinks of him first.

The film feels like a tragedy in slow motion. As a child eventually chooses between two fathers the stern but loving and unemotional Malcolm and the drifter who is personable, cool, and fun Porter. Both have anger issues one is just more stable and the other is free-floating. The film comes off as realistic enough. Though both provide toxic masculinity and show lasting effects that it can provide in all ways. It also showcases the power of forgiveness as well as religious values that can regulate and save a person. How people learn violence at times from those who are there to love and protect them. How they feel is how they show their love and feelings. 

The film offers a dramatic powerhouse and great cinematography. Yet the film never seems to allow itself or the characters any joy throughout. 

Grade: B-