The Forty-Year-Old Version is a dramedy about a NYC playwright and teacher Radha(Radha Blank, also written and directed by) nearing her 40th birthday who struggles with her unfulfilled promise after winning a 30 Under 30 award. Her agent and friend Archie(Peter Kim) sets her up with a white producer who urges her to create "poverty porn". At a loss with what to do in her career she begins to rap and goes in for a recording session with D(Oswin Benjamin). She's creatively gratified by her rapping, somewhat ambivalent with her teaching, and begins to make compromises in order to get her new play produced.
Blank has incredible presence, she's both exceedingly vulnerable and assertive, the character feels like a real, three dimensional person, with compelling humanity- flawed, self conscious, egotistical, impetuous, talented, hopeful, determined, despairing- the whole gambit. And a lot of the humor as well as the pathos come from this wonderful tapestry of emotion and personality Blank's able to convey. The rap scenes are fun and catchy but also serve as some of the greater themes of the film. Presumably playing a version of her self it is sharply dynamic but also self deprecating and fragile. She doesn't have all the answers, she makes mistakes, but she moves forward. Kim as Archie is a nice foil and friend for Radha and his perspective and motives serve as a nice contrast for her ultimate journey. Benjamin is pitch perfect as the laid back and modest encouraging music producer and love interest for Radha. The supporting cast all give good turns especially Radha's group of students, and the focus is on emotion and humor rather than "grit" or suffering.
Shot in intimate black-and-white, reminiscent of 80's NYC indies, with a thrumming score we are submersed in Radha's world and perspective. But unlike many artists-in-NYC stories this has no pretension, is not tainted by the implication of wealth- the streets and neighborhoods look like they actually do, the apartments aren't huge and immaculate, Radha takes public transit, a homeless guy takes a shit on the sidewalk right outside her house- it has heart and it effectively transmits the truth of its central character.
Surprising laughs on a lowkey but profound journey.
Currently streaming on Netflix.
Don't Miss It.
No comments:
Post a Comment