Author: Randy Myers / Source: The Mercury News
A slightly tweaked vision of Oakland commands center stage in one of, if not THE, most bizarre cinematic mindblowers of 2018.
“Sorry to Bother You” stars the ever-hot Lakeith Stanfield (FX’s “Atlanta” and the big-screen’s “Get Out”) as cash-strapped Oakland resident Cassius Green.
He’s kicking it with his artistic girlfriend Detroit (Tessa Thompson) in a converted garage-cum-apartment owned by his uncle. Bay Area rents, as we all know, are no joke.Then Cassius pole vaults to a massive bank account and ritzy Oakland apartment after landing a job and developing a “white” voice at a new telemarketing gig. Soon he makes a mint for the drugged-out and zonkers CEO Steve Lift (Armie Hammer, so good here). But there’s something darker afoot going.
That’s the setup for the absurdist, refreshingly unique ride from Boots Riley — the innovative force behind the Oakland hip-hop collective the Coup. Riley’s film wowed ‘em at Sundance, and while “Sorry to Bother You” does pinball all over the place it can’t be denied that there are times when it sticks its landing like a Gold-winning Olympic gymnast. There are a lot of intelligent and interesting ideas thrown up on the screen as well as killer shots of Oakland. So much so they all need to be digested in a couple of viewings. The acting is first-rate, particularly by Stanfield.
So just sit back and get ready for…
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