Lisa’s Movie Review: ‘Fast Color’
A Wonderful Movie About Black Girl Magic and Power is Now Available for the Attention It Deserves.
By Lisa D. DeNeal
The first time I watched the online trailer for ‘Fast Color,’ I was ready to purchase a ticket before its theatrical release date, April 19, 2019. This was a movie that had not one, but three leading ladies who were Black women: Gugu Mbatha-Raw (‘A Wrinkle in Time,’ ‘Belle,’ ‘Beyond the Lights’), Lorraine Toussaint (‘The Village,’ ‘Orange is the New Black,’ ‘Selma’) and newcomer Saniyya Sidney (‘The Passage,’ ‘Hidden Figures,’ ‘Fences’). All three actresses played three generations of women with unique powers, yet they battled their personal pains. ‘Fast Color’ was raved at the 2018 SXSW Film Festival and was picked up by Codeblack Films, an affiliate of Lionsgate Entertainment.
The New York Times said ‘Fast Color’ is ultimately about “black women whose power is misunderstood, and how they sacrifice their individuality for the greater good.”
This, of course, is an everyday thing for Black women.
Mbatha-Raw plays Ruth, a young woman on the run from a group of men because of her supernatural powers. With nowhere else to go, she returns to her mother’s home. Toussaint plays Ruth’s mother, Bo, and Sidney is Ruth’s daughter, Lila. Their reunion is not joyful. Ruth’s return is after years of estrangement from her family. With a target on her back, Ruth must regain her mother and daughter’s trust to resolve and risk everything, including their lives.
When ‘Fast Color’ opened in theaters, it was shown on just 25 screens. Surrounding theater complexes near my hometown of Gary, IN were not on the agenda. In Illinois, it only played in a suburban theater. I was disappointed. Add the lack of promoting ‘Fast Color’ on TV, etc., the movie all but disappeared. How is it that a sci-fi movie about a Black mother, daughter and granddaughter with superhuman powers not get the love in theaters?
However, thanks to today’s Blu-Ray/DVD release of ‘Fast Color,’ nearly a month after the digital release, you can own a copy of this great movie. The Blu-Ray/DVD has special features including audio commentary with writer-director Julia Hart, and writer-producer Jordan Horowitz. There’s also a behind-the-scenes segment, A Mother’s Power: Making ‘Fast Color.’
I have my reasons for appreciating ‘Fast Color.’
1. I already mentioned the powerhouse cast of three Black leading ladies. The youngest, Saniyya Sidney, won me over as a lead in the short-lived Fox TV series, ‘The Passage.’ In ‘Fast Color,’ she holds her own with Toussaint and Mbatha-Raw, as Lila. Lila has to grow mentally and emotionally faster because of her mother’s return.
2. The other story line in ‘Fast Color’ is the world and its environment. The setting is an eight year drought. The movie opens with Toussaint saying, “ The world’s gonna die. I can feel it coming. We knew this would happen. That sooner or later, man’s reckless behavior would catch up with us.” People and businesses ration out water because water is now so rare, it’s expensive for even a half gallon jug. Otherwise the city looks like something out of ‘Mad Max’ movie minus the tanks and biker villains.
3. Those trying to capture Ruth want to experiment on her to figure out her powers. This reminds me of the history of Black people undergoing experiments without being informed of the consequences, i.e., the U.S. Public Health Service Tuskegee Syphilis Study from 1932 to 1972 https://www.cdc.gov/tuskegee/timeline.htm, and Henrietta Lacks https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/henriettalacks/index.html to name a few. Black men and women have always been a figment of wonder and curiosity.
4. The effects of a water drought, climate change, and global warning. ‘Fast Color’s’ other costar is the drought. The drought is due the inability of rain showers. Everything is dried up; lakes, rivers, oceans. This results in the inability to garden and grow fresh produce, feed animals, etc. This affects daily living. The movie’s scenarios of rationing out living necessities, remind me of what’s going on in Flint, Michigan, and its mostly Black residents. It also reminds me of what else is going on in our world that affects everyday living.
5. A mother’s love never dies. ‘Fast Color’ shows the strengths and sacrifices a mother will make for her child. I saw this with Ruth and Bo. Both are mothers with different ways of solving problems. However, they have to work together to make changes and acceptance for Lila’s well-being. Second chances and forgiveness are relevant in the story line.
6. Black Lives Matter. There’s a pivotal moment in ‘Fast Color’ that will make you cheer and cry.
‘Fast Color’ is a worthy movie to watch. It starts out a little slow, but picks up speed. You won’t see Ruth, Bo, and Lila wearing superhero capes. Their capes are their spirits, faith and love. ‘Fast Color’ is worth your time to watch.
I give ‘Fast Color’ 4 stars.
I want to thank Tiaka Hurst of Full Bloom Marketing and Lionsgate Entertainment for the ‘Fast Color’ poster created with my image!
“Fast Color’ is presented by Lionsgate, Codeblack Films, in association with LD Entertainment and Original Headquarters Productions.
Directed by Julia Hart. Written by Julia Hart and Jordan Horowitz.
Produced by Mickey Liddell, p.g.a., Pete Shilaimon, p.g.a., and Jordan Horowitz, p.g.a.
Genre: Science Fiction, Drama.
Run Time: 100 minutes.
Rated PG-13 for a scene of violence and brief, strong language.
‘Fast Color’ is available now on DVD/Blu-Ray and digital.
Lisa D. DeNeal is freelance writer based in Gary, IN. Her byline has appeared in The Gary Crusader, Post-Tribune of Northwest Indiana, Port of Harlem Magazine, Kiwanis International Magazine, Jolity Magazine, and online publications, including, Hope for Women, Ourselves Black and Black Girl Nerds. She is the co-author of Unflappable (IBJ Publish), and The Panthers Club (Queen Publications), and author of Dead Lies and Extra! Extra! Love!(Createspace/Amazon KDP).
