Middle of Nowhere

“You never know where love will take you.”

And I sure hope it never takes me there! What a depressing story! Okay, now that we’ve gotten that out of the way we can speak about all the other good things. ‘Middle of Nowhere’ written and directed by Ava DuVernay (first African-American woman to win Director award -- for this film) has been working in the film industry since 1999. This film was not only a product of all her hard-work but not only did it bring her ‘Best Director’ award but also 20 other nominations and 14 wins that year. 

This Drama was done with a humble budget of $200,000 USD and no surprise didn’t hit big at the box-office as this ‘serious subject-matter’ film had an all black cast. What it did garner however were people’s eyes being opened to the sensationally good acting abilities, direction, and perspective coming from a crowd that has been ignored a little too long. 

Starring British David Oyelowo, American actors, Omari Hardwick and Emayatzy Corinealdi and from Trinidad and Tobago Lorraine Toussaint this film brought viewers to a dark yet beautiful place. I must clarify when I say ‘depressing’ but when a woman’s husband is sentenced to eight years in prison and he has a chance at getting out after 5 years and things suddenly change is enough for any audience member to become depressed. Viewers are invested in the movie’s characters from the beginning and quickly identified with the love, fear, pain and everything else in between.

Rated R for some language this film is worth the watch - incredible dialogue, wonderful pacing, expert camera work and cinematography and phenomenal acting! The world needs to see more of these films. Switch the leads and this film would certainly be Oscar-worthy; but alas we’re only in the year 2015…