In crackling black and white 35mm, Radha Blank raps, acts, writes and directs the hell out of her hilarious comedy debut, instantly certifying her as the strongest voice to step to the screen in a very long time. As others have mentioned, the Brooklyn-bound influence of Spike Lee does surface occasionally, but not nearly enough to detract from the hip-hop rooted originality of Blank’s vision. This is why Netflix exists. If they’re willing to back artists, without any interference, in order to keep producing these kinds of results, there’s no way streaming services can be the end of cinema. I laughed, I cried, I cringed, and I experienced some of the best fourth-wall breaking looks to the camera since Harold and Maude. Don’t even wait, just watch it.

Remains the best black & white film on Netflix about Black art.

A black and white movie on Netflix that has cohesive ideas about the barriers black creators have to overcome with their work and their own personal problems? Malcolm and Marie wishes 🥴😌😉✊🏾

Also, it is some obvious bullshit that this is not in the comedy and musical category for the Golden Globes but Music and The Prom are?

THE 40 YEAR OLD VERSION is a hysterical knockout of a crowd pleaser. Sharply written, beautifully acted & brilliantly directed in black and white, all by (remember this name) Radha Blank. This is the kind of discovery that makes the Sundance Film Festival so special. An absolute delight from beginning to end.

Lovely and funny and fun !!

Downright hilarious. Some parts are a little slow and you can tell this is a directorial debut, but it is more than impressive. Glad Radha got recognition at Sundance. Looking forward to whatever she puts out next.

Radha Bank playing herself is automatically one of my favorite characters in any movie. Her film debut takes inspiration from Spike Lee but in her own unique perspective. Her screenplay is written with such fresh authenticity, clever comedy and a real sense of the livelihood of Harlem in the culture of Hip Hop & the frustration from gentrification. Simply fantastic!

Black Is Beautiful

Hustle & Yo

”Wow, she’s like Queen Latifah and Judge Judy, but rolled into one, yo”

Radha Blank writes, directs and stars in this solid debut that’s packed with wit, style and personal honesty. At times It takes a bit too long to get where it's going, but the characters and acting are all strong enough to make the journey worth it.

You can see tons of influences like Spike Lee all over this film, however Radha still finds a way to make a mark and make it her own. She’s packed with potential and I’m looking forward to seeing where she goes next.

BONUS POINTS for the Purple Rain hallway shout-out and Imani’s riff on Morris Day.

Hey, heard your show was “da bomb”

Cinematic Time Capsule - 2020 Ranked

2020 U.S. Release Schedule

I really liked this movie. It was maybe a tad overlong having a bit of a lull late on but it finished really strong after that to make up for that. I look forward to seeing what Radha Black does next in this she did really great work in acting, writing and directing and judging from this she’s talented enough to do whatever she wants.

🎤

thought it was pretty good!

I love a lot of this movie. But it also makes some choices that I really don't like. I do really appreciate the theater industry criticism though. It's a little heavy handed at times, but it's something that rarely gets talked about outside of some theater circles and it rings very true.

radha blank!!!

Rhada Blank is truly amazing.

So honest and so much fun. I laughed. I cringed. I loved it.

Spectacular.

Radha Blank não é somente um furacão em cena, mas já uma tremenda cineasta. Consegue dar vazão a uma série de frustrações de uma personagem extremamente bem escrita e caracterizada, rodeada de coadjuvantes excelentes, sem perder o tino da comédia aberta em nenhum momento. Ela parece sempre disposta a passar por enormes constrangimentos nessa envolvente busca por uma vocação e não tem nenhum receio do que os outros - personagens, colegas, espectadores - vão pensar. Chega um ponto em que mal interessa se ela é mesmo boa como professora, dramaturga ou rapper; é tudo feito de modo tão verdadeiro e divertido que a personagem se empodera e ganha cores (literalmente) de qualquer jeito.

Such a breath of fresh air all around!  Great performances, so authentic.  Good writing, good direction, good story.  Wholeheartedly recommend!!  (Btw,Fun little addition during closing credits )

This movie doesn’t even really feel like acting, perhaps because it’s a reflection of Radha’s real life, but also because the characters come together in a very human way.
Felt a little drawn out, and I found it hard to believe her character would go along with all the producer’s/director’s changes to her play, but that might reflect more on my limited perspective than the movie.
Radha’s relationships were the best part of this (except for maybe the rap battle). Archie, D, her brother, and more all felt genuine and essential to the story’s (and Radha’s) development.

I really like how the colors came out at the end, and what that means to the creator of this story. I love when she talks to her brother about her mother, and how she navigates through stereotypes to find out who she really is. I love this stories commentary of authenticity and finding entertainment that she truly loves. I love how she and her producer stand up to the man, and she and her producer are able to learn and reconcile with each other and see each other's worlds and backstories. This film fulfills everything it comments on, I really loved the soundtrack. This is a very good film.