Popular reviews

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  Review by Evan T ★★★★½ 4

  In crackling black and white 35mm, Radha Blank raps, acts, writes and directs the hell out of her hilarious comedy debut, instantly certifying her as the strongest voice to step to the screen in a very long time. As others have mentioned, the Brooklyn-bound influence of Spike Lee does surface occasionally, but not nearly enough to detract from the hip-hop rooted originality of Blank’s vision. This is why Netflix exists. If they’re willing to back artists, without any interference, in order to keep producing these kinds of results, there’s no way streaming services can be the end of cinema. I laughed, I cried, I cringed, and I experienced some of the best fourth-wall breaking looks to the camera since Harold and Maude. Don’t even wait, just watch it.

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  Review by Matt Neglia ★★★★ 2

  THE 40 YEAR OLD VERSION is a hysterical knockout of a crowd pleaser. Sharply written, beautifully acted & brilliantly directed in black and white, all by (remember this name) Radha Blank. This is the kind of discovery that makes the Sundance Film Festival so special. An absolute delight from beginning to end.

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  Review by Allison M. 🌱 ★★★½ 3

  “And maybe next time if it don't kill you, could you put some mayonnaise on both sides of this dry-ass bread?”

  Ever since Radha Blank won the Directing Award in the U.S. Dramatic category at the Sundance Film Festival earlier this year, I was eager to see it.

  The film is in black and white and shifts to color when she's envisioning the execution of the play she wrote. The film starts off documentary style: multiple people are interviewed about what it's like to turn forty. Then, enter the world of Radha (Radha Blank) whose seemingly autobiographical film has a similar vibe to Cheryl Dunye's The Watermelon Woman. Both women have fresh and unapologetic voices, but are uniquely their own…

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  Review by Tasha Robinson ★★★ 6

  The positives on this one:

  • It takes on some unusual cinematic topics, including the pettiest annoyances of reaching middle age, and the feeling of having not lived up to your early potential.
  • The premise, about a failed playwright who turns to rap to reinvent herself, is also unconventional.
  • It's damn funny, with sharp dialogue and sharp emotions.
  • The acting is terrific.

  The negatives:

  • The black-and-white photography is more muddy than artful.
  • The protagonist comes across as pretty narcissistic and self-absorbed. Yes, she's having a mid-life crisis, but that doesn't excuse the way she abuses her long-suffering, ridiculously loyal best friend, or blows off people when she doesn't need them, then gets offended if they treat her…

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  Review by kevinyang ★★★★

  A genuinely joyous affair, at one moment uproariously funny and at another quietly poignant. It’s clear from the first frames that Radha Blank is a multitalented star, and even though her film definitely outstays its welcome, she as a performer never does. Her performance is exuberant and moving, one deeply in tune with the struggles of being a person of color making art in a white dominated industry. Because while this film is an uplifting comedy, it’s also a deeply sobering look at how identity and expression is inherently tied to art - and how quickly that can all be taken away.

  Rather than take us through the expected trajectory of the main character becoming a rap star, the main…

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  Review by Rafael "Parker!!" Jovine ★★★★½

  One of those films that I remember hearing a lot of raving reviews but for some reason I never got around to watching until now, and boy do I regret not having seen it sooner! This is one of those films that shines in its apparent simplicity, because underneath it all there is a certain, how shall I put it? Complexity.

  First of all I liked how black and white was used not simply as a gimmick but also to represent the main character. It gives it a vintage feel, which is in many ways how everyone perceives our protagonist. Because of this, and this is a slight spoiler, but when she embraces her youthfulness, and in many ways finds…

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  Review by john ★★★½

  Downright hilarious. Some parts are a little slow and you can tell this is a directorial debut, but it is more than impressive. Glad Radha got recognition at Sundance. Looking forward to whatever she puts out next.

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  Review by joereid ★★★½ 1

  My campaign for "White Man with a Black Woman's Butt" for Best Original Song begins here.

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  Review by MarMar ★★★★½ 4

  Radha Bank playing herself is automatically one of my favorite characters in any movie. Her film debut takes inspiration from Spike Lee but in her own unique perspective. Her screenplay is written with such fresh authenticity, clever comedy and a real sense of the livelihood of Harlem in the culture of Hip Hop & the frustration from gentrification

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  Review by Ayo Edebiri ★★★★

  Lovely and funny and fun !!

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  Review by Austin Burke ★★★★

  ✅78%
  YouTube review - Click HERE
  2020 list - Click HERE

  We often talk about actors who come out of nowhere and make a splash, but never could I have imagined seeing Netflix give us a film that did that so prominently. Radha Blank just exploded onto the scene, and she gives one of my absolute favorite performances of the year; it also helps that she effortlessly directs this feature. Radha is a down-on-her-luck NY playwright, who is desperate for a breakthrough before 40. Reinventing herself as rapper RadhaMUSPrime, she vacillates between the worlds of Hip Hop and theater in order to find her true voice. This film is all about finding your voice, but certain scenes will really appeal to those…

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  Review by 📀 Cammmalot 📀 ★★★½

  Hustle & Yo

  ”Wow, she’s like Queen Latifah and Judge Judy, but rolled into one, yo”

  Radha Blank writes, directs and stars in this solid debut that’s packed with wit, style and personal honesty. At times It takes a bit too long to get where it's going, but the characters and acting are all strong enough to make the journey worth it.

  You can see tons of influences like Spike Lee all over this film, however Radha still finds a way to make a mark and make it her own. She’s packed with potential and I’m looking forward to seeing where she goes next.

  BONUS POINTS for the Purple Rain hallway shout-out and Imani’s riff on Morris Day.

  Hey, heard your show was “da bomb”

  
  Cinematic Time Capsule - 2020 Ranked

  2020 U.S. Release Schedule