332. Passing; movie review

 

PASSING

Cert 12A

98 mins

BBFC advice: Contains racism and upsetting scenes

Of course, I was aware that through history people have felt compelled to deny their race to avoid persecution or death.

This includes Jewish people during the rise of the Nazis and mixed-race Americans before the abolition of slavery.

But it had never occurred to me that some African Americans had been 'Passing' as white people for economic benefit.

Or in the case of Tessa Thompson's character, just to see how the other half live.

From her home in Harlem, she goes to a grand hotel in Manhattan and, thanks to her pale skin, nervously passes as a white person.

But she is recognised by an old school friend (Ruth Negga) who has gone even further and married a rich businessman (Alexander Skarsgård) who believes she is white.

To make matters even worse, it is clear that he is a racist.

This is the springboard for a film during which racial and social tensions simmer throughout.

Meanwhile, a counterbalance is provided by a cracking jazz/blues score.

Rebecca Hall's film has a fascinating true premise, its dialogue is smart and it fizzes with verve and style.

However, while there is a constant fear of trepidation and potential discovery,  we have to wait for the finale before its main action scene.

I can understand why this may cause some to be impatient and think the movie is too clever for its own good.

Reasons to watch: Mind-blowing premise

Reasons to avoid: A tad too clever

Laughs: Two

Jumps: None

Vomit: Yes

Nudity: None

Overall rating: 7.5/10

Did you know? The extent of passing has never been reliably quantified by social scientists, hence estimates up to 1950 ranged from hundreds of thousands to several million blacks vanishing into the ranks of unsuspecting whites.

The final word. Rebecca Hall: "So a lot of families, it's hidden even within those families, including my own. My grandfather was African-American and he passed white for most of his life. And that is a fact that I've only really fully learned details of in the last year or so." Sky News

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