Whereas most movies tend to stick to a narrative that's straight-forward and easy to follow, some choose to take an alternative route in regards to creating an experience that's not only entertaining for the audience, but takes a more ambitious and thought-provoking route in regards to storytelling.
Sorry To Bother You is a film that desires to go against the typical style of conventional filmmaking, and deliver an unusual yet whacky ride for audiences that's fresh, creative, satirical, and ultimately entertaining while posing some interesting questions regarding the films main plot and themes concerning both race and capitalism. For newcomer writer-director Boots Riley, he crafts both a creative and original story that's brutally funny and full of fresh energy, making it one of 2018's oddest yet striking films.
The plot for
Sorry To Bother You centers around an African-American telemarketer (played by Lakeith Stanfield), who learns to use a white-sounding voice in order to make more money selling books. Although he ends up becoming successful, he encounters problems with the telemarketer's union, protestors, drugs, and a herd of hybrid horse-humans. The best way to describe the plot for
Sorry To Bother You is that it's fresh, fun, and creative while jokingly playing off the stereotype of what's expected for African-Americans in the professional workplace. The film is brilliantly acted, creatively written, and impressively directed to where it greatly entertains its target audience while managing to surprise them with some of the films key plot twists. Although it approaches it's overall themes and message in a way that can best be described as satirical,
Sorry To Bother You carries with it a well-meaning message in the midst of it's wackiness that says American workers should fight for basic human rights including a living minimum wage, and healthcare. The films messages are presented in a way that doesn't feel like its being hammered over the audiences head, but cleverly stated within a comedic yet bizarre scenario. The film works as well as it ultimately does largely thanks to the noteworthy talents of both it's main cast as well as its genius filmmakers. The end result may not be everyone's cup of tea due to the strangeness of the plot, but there's much to enjoy and behold with
Sorry To Bother You which makes it an unusual yet entertaining experience, that audiences will find an awkward yet satisfying enjoyment with.
One of the key elements that makes
Sorry To Bother You such an enjoyable yet weird experience, is the appeal of its main ensemble. The cast presented here not only deliver convincing performances, but are charismatic and work well off each other in terms of chemistry. Lakeith Stanfield delivers a solid performance in the main role as young telemarketer Cassius Green. Stanfield does well with showing his character striving to be successful with him juggling both his work persona with him randomly throwing out his silly white-sounding telemarketer voice along with Cassius struggling to remain loyal to both his co-workers and talented girlfriend Detroit played impressively by Tessa Thompson. Thompson shines in her role as Cassius loyal girlfriend with her carrying a radical side, that puts her at odds with Cassius desires to move up in the company in direct contrast to his co-workers rightfully demanding for better employment rights at work. Thompson is charming in the role and creates a character that's likable with the audience understanding her characters frustrations with Cassius when he begins his move up in the company leaving everyone, including her behind. Steven Yeun does a solid job playing Cassius co-worker Squeeze, and leader of the movement to push for better working conditions and pay. While the audience finds themselves supporting Yeun's character in that regard, they become conflicted and ultimately disappointed when they see his character attempt to make a move on Detroit. In terms of overall chemistry, the three main actors work off each other very well with Stanfield and Thompson being convincing as young and ambitious lovers. Armie Hammer does a fine job playing Cassius firms CEO, as well as essentially providing the film with its main antagonist. Hammer does well playing what can best be described as a rich yet slimy character with him taking advantage of Stanfield's talents (His voice for example) to achieve his goal of turning everyone into horse-like creatures. Other notable performances that add to the fun-spirited nature of the film are Terry Crews as Cassius neighbor Sergio Green, Omari Hardwick as Mr. Blank, Danny Glover as Cassius older co-worker Langston, and hilarious voiceover performances from Patton Oswalt as white Mr. Blank and David Cross as white Cassius Green. The cast for
Sorry To Bother You goes a long way in terms of giving the film its distinct energy and style, that makes it genuinely fun and entertaining to watch. They also add believability to the films story when it shifts from dark comedy to a more sci-fish and twisted route.
The films directing by Boots Riley is noteworthy with how he's able to put together a well-meshed film, that carries with it elements of dark comedy mixed with both science fiction and magical realism. Riley gives the film a directing style, that makes the story a welcoming one though audiences are bound to be divided on the bizarreness of it. Riley for the most part succeeds in keeping the story well-structured with the plot not going completely off the rails nor deterring from its main point. The films most appealing elements visually lie within its strong cinematography, that helps to give the film both a surreal and dream-like atmosphere. The films editing works effectively in regards to adding to the outrageous nature of the plot with its brisk pacing and quick cuts, making the film feel like one long and absurd rollercoaster ride. The films visual look along with its editing and sound effects, all blend together effectively in regards to giving the film a life of its own. On a technical front,
Sorry to bother you makes sure that its visual landscape meets the energy of its story head on with both the cinematography and editing adding to the films overall visceral impact. Whereas most dark comedies come across as being relatively straight-forward in regards to being filmed,
Sorry To Bother You is a unique case in which the film demands that the audience take notice of its technical aspects with the editing being a prime example with both it's hard and quick cuts. The film feels like it has the satirical approach of an old-school Spike Lee movie mixed with a teaspoon of
Get Out thrown into the mix. Boots Riley directs this one with a clear dose of enthusiasm for telling its story and largely impresses with his ability to blend both the visual and storytelling aspects of the film together so effectively.
The films screenplay also written by Riley, feels like one endless commercial in terms of promoting the progressive moment with clever humor and a Sci-Fi style subplot, that gives the film a Jordan Peele style feel to it. Watching the film, its abundantly clear that Riley has a clear message he wishes to convey and does it in the most entertaining and pleasing way possible, without it being overly preachy. Not only does he tackle progressive issues that have been brought to the forefront of radical political moments, but he also explores themes pertaining to conformism with Cassius's character changing his personality and voice to fit the corporate makeover that his employer demands of him. The film also explores discrimination against African-American men with Cassius only being able to get a low-wage job with him being shown to live in a state of poverty (Hence the garage scene with him and Detroit), the temptation and desire that Cassius and his co-workers have in regards to joining a labor union to demand for better rights, and how money, power, and success can change a person with making them appear to be a sellout to their friends for wanting to advance ahead of everyone else. For the films twisted subplot involving the transforming of people into horse-like individuals, The screenplay explores themes revolving around greed, corruption, and illegal drug use that leads to wrongful human experimentation, corrupt business practices, and slavery. The script for
Sorry To Bother You is a well-rounded one that presents well-meaning social commentary, that's draped in dark comedy with a Jordan Peele
Get Out style twist to it in the movies second half. The films wildness despite making it rich in entertainment, does not serve as being everyones cup of tea and will divide audiences who'll embrace the films whacky nature or become totally confused and lost throughout the course of the film. The story manages to possess an anarchic nature to it that when its strange yet major plot twists begin to kick in, they aren't totally left field for the audience as there's elements sprinkled throughout the film regarding its tone, which gives them a clue that the atmosphere of the film is not completely normal. Although the script takes extreme measures with its story in regards to getting its valuable points across, it does a solid job of setting up all the key characters along with taking appropriate jabs at both conformism and corporate greed while empathizing with the working persons desires for a more livable environment. The film could've easily played the story out to be a more serious and preachy concept, but instead opts to deliver audiences a ride that's eccentric, genius, and thought-provoking in a sense while managing to pull the rug from underneath near the films third act.
In the end,
Sorry To Bother You is not a film for everyone as the end result will confuse and frustrate some people while putting a smile on others faces as they'll appreciate both the creativity and artistic liberty the film takes in presenting both it's story and socially relevant themes. The film is not so much about lecturing it's audience as it is about providing an unusual experience, that showcases all of the conflicts and dilemmas that today's minority youth and general workforce of low-income workers deal with on a daily basis. The film works as well it does due to its talented cast and bright new filmmaker, who gave the film a clear vision and thoughtful message. The film knows what it wants to be and goes about doing so with the utmost confidence and passion behind it by its cast and crew. Those who enjoy straight-forward stories that are restrained and not whacky like this one should avoid this film as it will only confuse, frustrate, and anger them. Those however, seeking an unusual and creative experience will find
Sorry To Bother You to be not only effective but provocative, daring, thought-provoking, and encouraging for those who are fond of its themes pertaining to progressivism. It still remains as being one of 2018's most understated films, but its a story that aims to make it's audience laugh while pondering on some of its themes and conflicts after. As well as the end result turns out, one wonders what the film could've turned out like had Jordan Peele directed the film himself, which would've probably meant less humor and more of a
Twilight Zone atmosphere combined with its unique yet clever satirical tone.
Final Verdict: For those looking for a fun yet thought-provoking satire,
Sorry To Bother You is not only entertaining to watch but engaging and thoughtful with its timely themes and messages.
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