Curtis (2020) Movie Review
*This movie was viewed as part of the 2020 Atlanta Film Festival.
Curtis is the type of movie you want to see more of in the film world. It centers on former basketball star, Curtis (Dwight Henry), who struggles with mental illness. His most prized possession is his championship ring, which is stolen from him early on in the film. He happens to meet a young boy named Dre (Alex Henderson) who aspires to be a basketball star. They make a deal wherein Dre will help Curtis look for his ring in exchange for basketball lessons.
Curtis isn’t a stellar basketball coach. He is in and out of focus and goes off on tangents where he reminisces about a shot he made to win a basketball game in his youth. Dre tolerates him because he wants to improve his game, but there is some level of caring underneath the surface and you can tell he struggles to understand Curtis while also wanting to emulate his basketball skills.
Through a series of encounters, Curtis and Dre find the ring at a pawn shop. Dre makes a deal with the pawn shop owner to get Curtis his ring back, and at this point you can tell that for Dre it’s become more personal than just getting basketball tips. Meanwhile, Curtis’ mental health becomes more than his mother, Janice (Kalena Knox), can handle. She sends him to a psychiatric hospital where he is confused and is clearly missing his familiar surroundings. With Curtis is in the hospital, Dre stays committed to practicing basketball on his own and we see him dribbling and running. All the while, Dre repeats a phrase that Curtis uses often throughout the movie: “I’m the greatest.”
The movie concludes with a time jump into the future that I won’t spoil for anyone. As you can see, this movie isn’t plot heavy. It’s a unique character study of a man who believes in himself. At one point in his life, he was great. There was a time when he made the winning shot of a game and was the hero for the night. It’s also a deep dive into mental illness and how we view those who struggle with it.
Dwight Henry gives an excellent performance as Curtis, making him hyper realistic and also sympathetic. He looks lost much of the time, wondering what happened and how he wound up in this situation. Writer and director Chris Bailey gives plenty of time for Curtis to reflect on his past life and grapple with how far he’s come. I thoroughly enjoyed Alex Henderson’s portrayal of Dre. This kid has a dream and wants to pursue it despite all odds. He also has a big heart, helping a relative stranger find a prized possession. While most people would bypass Curtis on the street and ignore him, Dre talks to him and tries to understand him. Along the way, he winds up learning a valuable lesson about life and what it takes to succeed.
The acting is enhanced immensely by Colin Oh’s cinematography. Curtis is stunningly shot, and you’ll find yourself admiring some of the scenes purely from an aesthetic point of view. Curtis meanders through the lives of Curtis and Dre and gives you a lot of life lessons to chew on. You never know where people have been or where they’re going, but Curtis gives you the chance to examine a life that is too often ignored and notice someone who otherwise would get lost in the shuffle.
Film or Movie: Movie
You’ll like this movie if:
1. You like character studies
2. You like basketball
3. You like examining past, present, and future
