I originally made this thread on Twitter (or X or whatever) so before that burns down permanently I’m bringing it here.
I want to talk about the masterpiece you should see right now.
Blindspotting (2018)
“A buddy comedy in a world that doesn’t let it be one”
-an actual quote from one of the writers
It’s about a friendship between two men, one that’s been through a lot and yet he will see it’s biggest challenge in the next two hours.
One half of the friendship is Colin, a recently released convict after a short sentence in the end of his probation. He struggles with how people view him in light of these events.
The second half is Miles, a father and boyfriend with a bone to pick with new people coming into the only town he’s ever known calling it their own leaving him questioning his place in it. He struggles with how people view him in light of these events.
You can see where the issues align with both of them. The film will focus on one over the other and yet you will see the full picture at the end.
Now the film is centered around Oakland and it doesn’t shy away from letting you know, from distinct art pieces around the town to iconic places. I’ve never been to Oakland but this film made me want to go and see it for myself.
Daveed Diggs (yes, Lafayette) plays an amazing and complex Colin, one who tries to break away of stereotypes and make people see him for himself. In between rapping thoughtful lines and sarcastic incisive interactions, he’s feels right at home front and center.
Rafael Casal (you’ll see him soon in Loki but he’s in a lot of great stuff) plays Miles with a ton of brashness and cleverness, earning his title as best mouthpiece in Oakland the second he gets a chance, he’s trying to defend his home and say out loud “I earned my place here, don’t go around trying to kick me out”. He’s a perfect mirror to Colin for his unfiltered lines and he’s willingness to get down and dirty when he “believes” is needed.
Both of this actors wrestle the spotlight of the film throughout and in several rewatches you see how it’s a competition to see who can win. They act their hearts out in the film while delivering amazing rap verses according to what is happening in the story.
Carlos Lopez Estrada directs this movie like no one else could, he grabbed the love child of Daveed and Rafael and gave part of his own soul to make something exceptional.
That’s right Daveed and Rafael wrote this movie, they took 9 years writing it, piece by piece, both of them on the same laptop because they love the story also it was the only laptop that had the script writing software they needed and could afford.
They weren’t the only ones that worked double shifts on the movie. Almost every extra is either part of the crew or friends of the crew. So nearly everyone you see walking was either a makeup artist, co-producer or a childhood friend of the crew.
Also Rafael wasn’t happy just being the writer and the co-star, he also wanted to be his own stuntman. He got himself a slight fall leaving him in the hospital for a little time with a bit of amnesia. Like 2 years out of his mind. The crew would explain to him the whole situation when he woke up every time. He kept asking what film they were shooting and was very happy when told it was his very own Blindspotting. He was safe and sound after his hospital stay.
As with a lot of films there are a few cut scenes, Carlos Lopez Estrada if you ever see this I’d love an uncut version of the movie with the trumpet and the heroin addicts and everything you cut that was too long but very funny. I could watch 10000 more hours of Miles and Colin.
At the end of the day, everyone on this movie gave it their all on it. They improvised some of the best parts, they worked around the troubles and managed to make friends into crew and crew into friends while also making one of the most amazing movies there is.
I hope you gives this film a chance, without watching the trailer if possible as I think it kinda spoils the fun.
If you watch it and like it, I have very good news for you, there is a series that picks up a few months, I believe, after the film that just encapsulates the same vibes and brings it to another level by giving us Jasmine Cephas-Jones (Peggy!) as a protagonist. It has two seasons, a good enough last episode in case there is no third and probably my favorite cast in anything ever. I could write another entire post as long as this one about how much I love it but maybe some other time.
That’s it, Commander Moving, signing off
