Blindspotting (2018)****(*)

Blindspotting is a modern buddy movie that is set against the backdrop of a changing Oakland. What is less obvious, but still ever poignant, is that the two main characters, Collin and Miles, are changing too. The fast-paced story takes place over three days, but includes appropriate flashbacks. 

It doesn’t seem to take much, but you get a good sense of the people involved. The real-life friendship between the actors, Daveed Diggs and Rafael Casal comes through, as well as they’re lyrical-wordsmithing skills. Actors Janina Gavankar and Jasmine Cephas Jones, who play respective love interests to Collin and Miles, add to the weight of the story and the authenticity of the film. By the end you get a better sense why they have to and how they are going to change. 

Stylistically, this film seems simple: Big block text, what look like basic camera techniques, existing locations, but this movie is not simple or basic. There are so many deep, thought-provoking themes and imagery throughout mixed in with funny buddy situations, making this film complex, amusing, serious, sobering and amazing. 

I watched this movie twice. It set a little deeper the second time, it made me laugh more and made me a bit more worried, but at the same time hopeful for the world. 

I give this movie four stars**** on the Cinematic Masterpiece side of the scale. I want to watch this again and again. I want to talk about it. It just might be one of my favorites, but I'll only know with time. I’m sorry I didn’t get to support this movie in theaters. 

I checked the DVD out from my local library.

Addendum March 4, 2019: This gets bumped up to five stars*****. I've been talking about it for the past few days and I've come to the conclusion that I love this movie. Done.