Sundance '13 Review: THE INEVITABLE DEFEAT OF MISTER AND PETE
Director: George Tillman Jr.
Screenwriter: Michael Starrbury
Cast: Skylan Brooks, Ethan Dizon, Jennifer Hudson, Jordan Sparks, and Anthony Mackie, with Jeffrey Wright and Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje.
Official Synopsis: Separated from their mothers and facing a summer in the Brooklyn projects alone, two boys hide from police and forage for food, with only each other to trust. A story of salvation through friendship and two boys against the world.
Performances:
It's always a treat to see young actors who can run a whole gamut of emotions. With the help of a stellar supporting cast, newcomers Skylan Brooks (Mister) and Ethan Dizon (Pete) are able to pull off both the comedic and emotional with ease. The chemistry between the two is built so naturally. Dizon has an amazing deadpan delivery, and I wouldn't be surprised if Brooks gets some well deserved awards buzz thrown his way.
Story and Direction:
The film opens very strong. Tillman Jr. (Men of Honor, Soul Food) is able to tell you nearly everything you need to know about the 14-year old Mister in the first few minutes of the film, all without dialogue! The pace of the film gets a tad slow in the middle as we follow months of Mister and Pete's survival shenanigans. Things get a bit dusty towards the end, and it closes strong.
The script has some great references to other movies - Fargo, Trading Places, Independence Day. If Mister were more anymore cinema savvy you'd think he was a Tarantino character.
Similar To:
Think City of God with a lot less violence, with a little bit of Home Alone. Also, as Ben mentioned in our video review, it has a lot of similarities with The Wire's 4th season.
Chances That You'll See It in Theaters:
With enough familiar faces and two American Idol stars to throw on posters and make the promotional rounds, with a soundtrack by Alicia Keys, it's likely, if not inevitable.