The Harder They Fall

Black.

…and specific.

I immediately thought of Baz Luhrmann’s “The Great Gatsby,” (2013) because of the eccentric soundtrack coupled with the targeted supporting character profiles. And wouldn’t you know it, the director of this film, Jeymes Samuel, was an executive music consultant on “…Gatsby.” (…which also explains the Jay-Z connection.)

Loved the aspect ratio—it sharpened the front-loaded action and drove the screenplay forward from the jump.

There were entirely too many things in this film to reference as odes from past iconic works, but my favorites were:

The parallels between Regina King’s Trudy Smith point and the shots of Denzel Washington as “Malcolm X” in Spike Lee’s 1992 film.

and…

There are entirely too many films, especially westerns, with train scenes, but the one I thought of was Buster Keaton’s clearing an obstruction for a slow-moving locomotive in “The General” (1926). Not a direct 1:1 parallel because Trudy was the “unmovable” obstruction and the conductor eventually halts the pacing train.

Loved the overhead crane shots transitioning to a perspective around and under Trudy’s nag to show how closely the train was approaching her.

The ensemble cast is the highlight of the film, and I’d love it if we can keep a tradition going that at least one character in an all-Black ensemble be one of the Wayans.

I thought Regina BEEN King’s accent sounded a little bit like she was holding back a “Boondocks” Huey drawl. Most everyone else fell into their distinct tones. I appreciated Jonathan Majors’ accent because it was a twinge different than his natural Texas-born drawl. (He so fine.) Seeing him alongside Delroy Lindo, the people’s patriarch, was dope. (Shouts to “Da 5 Bloods.”)

The damsel-in-distress Stagecoach Mary (Zazie Beetz) and Nat Love (Majors) bit was wonky. 🥴🥴 Either the actors’ chemistry was off or I just was not feeling the writing, or both.

Quick thoughts about “The Harder They Fall:”

🤠 Nat Love (Majors) is my favorite superhero.

🤠 This ensemble is everything and should be celebrated.

🤠 Loved the screenplay and I would like to see more from screenwriters Jeymes Samuel and Boaz Yakin.

🤠 The production design, especially the “all white town,” was specific, effective, and acted as its own character. Loved that they hit all the quintessential Western settings: a train car, a bank, a saloon, the desert. 👍🏾 👍🏾 👍🏾

🤠 The shoot-outs, the competitions and battles between gangs, the action! LOVED! 🥰

🤠 Loved the train car ode to Chadwick Boseman. R.I.P. to the legend. 🕊️

🤠 Put Delroy Lindo in absolutely all things.

🤠 Loved the twist at the end.

🤠 I want the sequel now.

I really enjoyed this film.

The ensemble included a great mix of newcomers and vets. Danielle Deadwyler‘s “Cuffee” and R.J. Cyler‘s “Jim Beckwourth” were absolutely fantastic—the highlights of the film for me. They were charismatic and surprising and just…dope. More of them in things.

The soundtrack was dope, though it did not always hit at the best times during the film.

Overall, good job, producers! 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾

More please!