This is a stunning film with an excellent cast that weaves the personal story of Isabel Wilkerson’s life into her journey of discovery as she writes her bestselling bombshell book Cast: The Origins of Our Discontents.
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The story weaves its way through her life, but also reenacts some crucial moments in history in the USA, Germany, and India to explain how Wilkerson came to her theory that humans create caste systems and that race is not necessarily at the heart of exploitation.
Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor gives a masterful performance as Wilkerson that is beautifully emotive and empathetic. She heads a cast of actors who all understand their characters so well and give equally nuanced performances.
With some searing imagery and plenty of emotional and shocking moments the film clearly shows the terrible way humans have treated one another. This is a deeply political and challenging film, but it is not preachy or depressing.
It is actually an uplifting and hopeful film that posits that if we acknowledge the truth of our past, we can create a better future.
If you see only one movie for the rest of the year, make it this one!
So how did I score it?
Acting 8 /10
Story/Script 9 /10
Cinematography 8 /10
Set/Costumes 8 /10
Entertainment value 9 /10
That gives Origin an average score of 8.4 / 10
ORIGIN
Starring: Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor, Jon Berhnthal, Vera Farmiga, Audra McDonald, Niecy Nash-Betts, Nick Offerman, Blair Underwood
Directed by: Ava DuVernay
Duration: 141 Minutes
Open in New Zealand – 18th April 2024