MovieChat Forums > Sleight (2017) Discussion > One part ruins an otherwise great film.

One part ruins an otherwise great film.

posted 7 years ago by Schulwitz (3)
2 replies | jump to latest

Spoilers!

Saw Sleight tonight and I was really liking it. Had a unique character who is likable, principled, and centered. Unfortunately, I guess since he's black, you can't have a Hollywood movie (at least not since Finding Forester) where a smart black kid isn't also selling drugs (See: Dope). This didn't bother me tremendously, but what did was the brutal chopping off of the other drug dealer's arm. Totally unnecessary, didn't advance the plot, ruined much of the likeability of the protagonist, and sits as a gaping sore in the film, given it doesn't seem to have much effect on him at all - making the audience wonder if he's just a complete psychopath, given the state most humans would be in if they hacked a guy's hand off with a butcher knife.

Just wish they would have considered this a bit more. A protagonist hasn't been recked this badly for me since Tsotsi.

Other than that, a pretty cool film that has a lot going for it. Would love to see it reedited without the aforementioned travesty.

[–] sleepingtiger (712) 7 years ago

Just saw the film, and it's made pretty clear that he's very disturbed by what he had to do, basically because he was forced to do it, and he's devastated afterwards. It's definitely a major turning point for him, the ultimate realization that he had to find some way to get the hell out of that life once and for all. I wished that he'd fought harder against doing it at all, but he was clearly scared of/intimidated by the guy (his boss) that hollered at him to do it. I have to admit, I didn't like the drug angle at all, and wishing that the film could have had him maybe concentrating more on his magic and where he got his magical skills from. It is a good intense film though, sweet and low-key in some parts, and action-packed. Plus, the star, Jacob Latimore (he's the little kid from the horror film VANISHING ON 7TH STREET all grown) brings a genuine likability and warmth to the role. I think it's too bad that it's not getting the promotion it should be getting,even though it is playing at theatres, which is good.

[–] Schulwitz (3) 7 years ago

I agree, the actor did a good job for sure. He was very likeable in the role for the most part. However, as far as being scared, my recollection of the film is that after he cuts the guy's hand off, he goes home and falls peacefully asleep next to his girl, and wakes up relaxed too.

It was only when he cut the coke several days later and his boss caught him and beat him up a little, that he got scared, admitted his situation to the girl, and really tried to get out of there.

Also, the finances in this part are unbelievable. Weeks/months of selling drugs, plus a compelling street magic act, plus living a humble life with his sister, equals poverty and a life savings of $5000!? But then when he needs the money, he goes out and makes $30,000 doing magic over 6 days!? I know, it's just a movie, but still, it's small things like this that take you out of the immersive experience.