Review By Yevette Renee Nelson
LUV is filled with raw and gritty drama of a day on the streets in Baltimore with enough excitement for lives of many people.
As with so many children being raised by extended family, Wood Watson, played by newcomer, Michael Rainey, Jr., longs to see his mother and have his family all together.
Director Shelon Candis does a remarkable job portraying the image of family love with Uncle Vincent (Common), Grandmother Beanie (Lonette McKee) and Woody Watson at the table having breakfast, prior to Woody going to school
Instead of dropping Woody off at school as he offered, Vincent tells Woody “let me show you how a man gets things done†and takes him along on his quest to legitimately start his life over after many years in prison.
There is no question, dressing for success is important, and one of the first things Vincent does is take Woody to the tailor for a custom fitted suit. With his new suit, he looks as handsome and dapper as his Uncle Vincent.
It would be wonderful young men today dressed in the same manner as Vincent and Woody, instead of wearing those saggy pant with the underwear showing. One can hope, can’t they?
Continuing to show “how a man gets things done, sitting in the bank manager’s Vincent tells Woody to sit up, put your feet on the floor and to not make faces. You are reminded of what our parents and grandparents taught us to do when out in public.
After things at the bank aren’t exactly what Vincent expected, he is torn between his pursuit of his dreams and Woody. He looses site of the youth and innocence of Woody because of his self-interest and seems to hastily resort to this old ways. It shows how a person with good intentions can often times be misguided.
He turns to his old friends and mentor for help in accomplishing his goal, which includes Crime lord, Mr. Fish (Dennis Haysbert), Arthur (Danny Glover) and Charles S. Dutton (Cofield). Fish requires Vincent to demonstrate his loyalty before he will help and that is when all hell break loose.
That one last “business run†for Vincent entails a day filled. Seeing the trauma Woody had to experiences makes you livid. But what is worse is the fact that many children are exposed to this kind of violence every day.
The script by Candis and Justin Wilson once again uses the symbol of family when Vincent, Woody, Mr. Fish and Arthur gather at Mr. Fish’s home for the Baltimore ritual, the crab dinner where Vincent shows Woody how to eat crab.
With friends like Mr. Fish, who needs enemies? It shows the importance of strong family bond and superior mentors for guidance to help black men navigate through life.
During one of the many teaching moments, Vincent tells Woody, “There are two kinds of people in the world-owners and renter,†You are left wondering will Woody decide to follow others or to be your own man.
By and large, great acting and storytelling. LUV will keep you guessing about what’s next for Vincent and Woody. A must see film. Check it out.
Opens: January 18, 2013
Independent Film
- Cast: Common, Michael Rainey Jr, Dennis Haysbert, Danny Glover, Charles S. Dutton, Meagan Good, Marc John Jefferies, Lonette McKee, Michael Kenneth Williams, Tracey Heggins, Clark Johnson, Russell Hornsby, Sammi Rotibi,
- Director: Sheldon Candis
- Screenwriter: Sheldon Candis and Justin Wilson
- Producers: Jason Michael Berman, Michael Jenson, Gordon Bijelonic, Datari Turner, Joel Newton, Derek Dudley.
- Executive Director: Thomas B. Fore, Sean Banks.
- Director of photography: Gavin Kelly
- Editor: Jeff Wishengrad
- Production Designer: Alex Brook Lynn
- Amela Baksic: Costume Designer
- Composer : Nuno Malo
- Music: BLAQSTARR
- Casting Directors: Mary Vernieu, Lindsay Graham
- Run time: 94 minutes