I was intrigued that one of my favorite actresses, Rebecca Hall, directed this movie, 'Passing'. This is because part of her personal life hewed closely to what the characters in the movie were experiencing.
I would not want to give too much of what the movie is all about but the title alone should give you a hint.
Well, I love Ruth Negga in this movie. She hides a lot of pain and fear behind her jolly exterior, while Tessa Thompson just does the right amount of restraint in navigating a world where the color of her skin provokes such strong reactions from people. Andre Holland, who plays her husband, also gives a good performance, showing Tessa's character, the reality of being black and what their sons have to deal with once they go to the real world.
Other strong points for me is the editing of the movie and the original score, both contributing to the heightening tension as the movie progresses. Even though it was in black and white, I love the cinematography of the movie as well as costume design. 1920s fashion, with the hats and the laces and the frills is really quite feminine and fun.
Overall, the movie struck a chord in me because I know exactly what Ruth Negga's character was feeling. Passing can also happen in the gay world, when gay men have to pass for straight men, especially when they are placed in uncomfortable circumstances.
I will just write another essay on that topic since that will involve a lot of soul-searching on my part and how society has changed in the past 25 years in the way they treat gay people.
I strongly recommend you watch the movie to find out how other people live, especially those who dangerously navigate in forbidden areas. Apparently, some survive, like Rebecca Hall's relation, some fail, like what Ruth Negga's character suffers in the movie.
