REVIEW: Danielle Deadwyler Gives An Award-Worthy Performance in TILL
In 1955, Chicago teenager, Emmett Till (Jalyn Hall), was on vacation visiting his cousins in Mississippi when he was brutally tortured and lynched by a group of white men. The reason for his lynching because he, an African American, apparently offended a white woman, Carolyn Bryant (Haley Bennett) in their family’s shop. In Director Chinonye Chukwu’s new film TILL, we follow Emmett’s mother, Mamie Till-Mobley (Danielle Deadwyler) as she seeks justice for the lynching of her son and becomes an activist in the Civil Rights Movement.
The first thing to note about TILL is the film will leave you feeling emotionally drained when all is said and done. There is nothing lighthearted about this film. Whether it be the scenes where Emmett is enjoying his time with his family or Mamie is sharing a laugh with her friends, the audience is always aware that there is something more haunting come their way. Because of this, the impact this film will have on you mentally will have you questioning a multitude of things including why the suspects were never convicted of Emmett’s murder. Chukwu does an amazing job bringing this powerful story to life. Never diverting from Mamie’s story, Chukwu keeps the audience’s focus on the emotional toll Emmett’s death as on her. Even during the court scenes, where we watch Deadwyler give the performance of a lifetime, the audience could have easily been pulled away from Mamie’s point of view if Chukwu had chosen to include the convicted men’s point of view, but instead she keeps the camera on Mamie. Thus, creating a rousing moment that won’t easily be forgotten by audience goers.
To add to Chukwu’s amazing story was Danielle Deadwyler performance. The audience can’t help but be captivated by her performance. From her verbal communication to her non-verbal communication, Deadwyler gives an award-winning performance that should be recognized this award season. Deadwyler is joined in the film by an amazing cast including Hall, Whoopi Goldberg, and Sean Patrick Thomas. Each bring their own emotional performance to the film, but nothing compared to Deadwyler. All the characters introduced in the film play major parts in Mamie’s story, but for this film, they are introduced to do nothing but elevate her story. This is her film and there is never any doubt to that.
TILL is a must-see film for all. It sheds light on a story that needs to be told and needs to be understood by all. It is a story that changed US History, and continues to change it to this day. Just make sure you are physically and mentally prepared for this film. Also, plan to have something positive ready for you after watching, you are going to need it.
Grade: A