The Forty-Year-Old Version, 2020.
Written and Directed by Radha Blank
Starring Radha Blank, Peter Kim, Oswin Benjamin, Imani Lewis, Reed Birney and Walker White.
SYNOPSIS:
A New York playwright (Radha Blank) is in search of an elusive success before she hits forty. Teaching theatre classes during the day and binge watching television shows at night, she finds inspiration through reinvention as a Hip Hop rapper.
This poignant black and white autobiographical exploration of major talent turning forty is staggering. Winner of best director at Sundance this year, writer-director Radha Blank is formidable, funny and most importantly feels natural. The Forty-Year-Old Version might be about her life, but ultimately successes based on its ability to examine universal truths.
Using a combination of talking heads and narrative flourishes which introduce colourful characters, Radha Blank has given us something profound. This film might boil down to the pressures placed on people to conform creatively, but with her effortless central performance it becomes something else. She is brutally honest in her assessments, hair trigger sensitive when it comes to artistic integrity, but still lets the vulnerability shine through.
Peter Kim’s Archie is a supreme character creation bearing the brunt of her vitriol, whilst hinting at an inherent love and respect which exists between them. Social commentary is prevalent whether we are talking about the artistic representation of black culture, or more specifically how society creatively ostracises people based on age. A fact which remains pivotal to the discussion irrespective of ethnicity throughout.
Director of photography Eric Branco never allows his camera to stop embracing New York as both a location and character. Things feel vibrant, opportunities infinite and the camera captures humour, melancholy and inspiration effortlessly. However, in spite of this freedom Radha Blank never allows things to feel disjointed, awkward or unintentional. Only Annie Hall and Manhattan gave this city the same immediacy, although thematically they share little else in common.
Hip hop music and rap battles also add another shade which in the hands of Radha Blank feel natural. Oswin Benjamin in his acting debut gives a performance of nuanced naturalism, which compliments the director perfectly in their scenes together. His character D is cautious and protective but also exists in an environment where vulnerability is never an option.
It is a bold choice mixing urban music, theatrical construction and autobiographical elements into something which flies in the face of formal construction. It touches on our fragility, explores our desire for acceptance and delicately dissects the preoccupations of aging without sentiment. In a time when we could all do with something to cheer about The Forty-Year-Old Version throws caution to the kerb, showing that tenacity combined with talent just needs the right streaming platform.
The Forty-Year-Old Version is available to stream on Netflix from October 9th.
Flickering Myth Rating – Film: ★ ★ ★ ★ / Movie: ★ ★ ★ ★
Martin Carr
Originally published October 8, 2020. Updated October 9, 2020.
