"Sinners" A Good Film (That Tries to be More)

 

    Well, I have to admit. I had heard good things about this film, but I didn't realize it would be this good. Maybe it's because I was skeptical with having an actor play two characters at once. Maybe I was just concerned I wouldn't enjoy this sort of film since it is described as horror. But damn once this film hits about the halfway point it really kicks in and leaves you with a pretty satisfying film altogether. I mean I wouldn't call it perfect, I do think this film gets a little messy, playing it fast and loose by the end, but it knows how to keep itself together just enough to make it satisfying. Let's talk about it.

    Sometimes, movies are just about the experience, and I'd argue that this film understands that, and makes sure to make it a priority. Do I think it's hyper realistic to life in the 1930's? No. Is the scene where they randomly start talking about the power of music and show different generations pretty jarring? For sure. But this film doesn't need everything to feel that believable, because it's fun, and it's just about one night after all. I said it in the intro that the film feels kind of meandering for the first hour, and it mostly is. But a lot of the setup is just there to make the plot seem plausible enough for Coogler and Co. to have fun. I mean it literally ends in a fight sequence where Michael B. Jordan mows down a bunch of KKK members who have been largely absent from the entire film. A fun fight scene that I enjoyed, but I must admit is a bit random still.

    Now, of course, I participate in all of this "it's just a fun movie" discourse knowing full well there are many think pieces about the symbolism in this film, but the truth is I just don't think much of it is well-executed. I mean they talk about Sammy's music briefly, and I do think there's an interesting conversation to be had about the blues and black music and how Remmick wants it. But at the same time it's pretty brief, and in the context of the film it just comes off as a very flimsy and random reason for Remmick to want Sammy specifically. Obviously, there's the whole angle about trying to build community and the struggle to do so when the odds are up against you in the sense that white people own the currency, they own the land, and they own the courts. 

    All of this to say that there's a lot that's trying to be said in this film, and I'm not sure it comes across strong enough. Like the aspect ratio routinely changes in this film, and I think it's cool. While watching the film I could not tell you why they chose to do that at all. Clearly Coogler was trying to do something by making the vampires more sympathetic, kind of? Like they all have desires and dreams they want to seek out and it makes sense. But also on the other hand you have Remmick sexually harassing Grace and threatening to kill their child. But also "the vampires only wanted to live their lives which is why Stack and Mary get to live a life where their interracial relationship is accepted" or something. I'm going to be honest I don't agree with much of the plot of this film even if it makes "enough" sense for me to suspend my disbelief. 

Final Score: 75/100

    All of this is just to basically say that I think the film's good, but I think it tries to be a lot that I simply don't really see. I wouldn't go as far as to say it's trying too hard to be everything, from a good action movie that's also though-provoking with a lot of symbolism and meaning behind it, but also yeah. Which is why this review is so tale of two-halves, it's fun enough, but personally I just don't think it's able to be what it set out to be. Either way, if you're looking for a movie involving vampires I'd say this film is at the very least good for once re-watch. Either way I'd say it's a pretty fun film, though oddly longer than you'd think considering how thin the plot really is.