88 is packed with powerful lessons about social issues, but unfortunately it tries to do way too much and ends up convoluted and messy.
On paper 88 is a decent movie. It tries really hard to teach positive lessons surrounding social injustices and issues that Black Americans face every day. The problem lies in the introduction of a political mystery story line that makes things convoluted and messy. When the movie is about Femi and his family, it works. But when it dives into the thriller aspects, it loses itself. On top of that, there are times where the script makes the audience feel uneducated and stupid, as it over explains things time and time again.
About: When Financial Director Femi Jackson for One USA, a democratic super PAC to elect presidential candidate Harold Roundtree, discovers patterns in donations he enlists the help of investment blogger Ira Goldstein to dig deeper.
Together they uncover a conspiracy and while new seasoned Deputy Executive Director Fred Fowlkes wants to act, head of One USA Agatha Frost is hesitant. Femi’s wife, Maria Jackson, strives to educate their son on the dangers he will face in modern American society as she fights racial and classist bias at work.
The movie itself is not all bad. These are important issues to shine a light on and we are thankful they did. However, the conspiracy aspect of the movie goes way too hard, ultimately causing confusion and annoyance. Many viewers will be unable to stay interested for the full two hours, and are likely to lose interest by the time the halfway mark hits.
That being said, the moments between Femi and his son are the standouts. They are absolutely heart wrenching as he must teach his son how to respond if he is ever stopped by a police officer. These scenes will leave an impact on those watching, especially with the decision to have the TV lights mimic police lights on the young boys face as he holds his hands up in the air.
However, for the most part 88 pushes things much to far. Almost repetitively drilling an agenda into the heads of those watching. Going this hard has the opposite effect than intended, and many viewers will bow out of the movie all together.
For those who do make it to the end, there isn’t much of a payoff. The paranoia we have seen developing throughout the film comes to a head, but we are still left with a few questions unanswered.
88 tries really hard to be something impactful, however because of how hard it pushes, it ultimately reverses the positive influence it provides on social issues. Such a shame because these are important topics and points to bring up, in order to start a conversation, but combining it with a conspiracy mystery proves to be too much.
Rating: 1.5 out of 5
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About 88
When Financial Director Femi Jackson for One USA, a democratic super PAC to elect presidential candidate Harold Roundtree, discovers patterns in donations he enlists the help of investment blogger Ira Goldstein to dig deeper.
Together they uncover a conspiracy and while new seasoned Deputy Executive Director Fred Fowlkes wants to act, head of One USA Agatha Frost is hesitant. Femi’s wife, Maria Jackson, strives to educate their son on the dangers he will face in modern American society as she fights racial and classist bias at work.
Meanwhile talk show host Ron Holt drills Roundtree on campaign finance reform, Citizens United, and the collapse of City District Bank where Roundtree was CEO. Femi and Ira follow the campaign money trail back to its nefarious origins and race to uncover the truth before the presidential primaries.
88 has a limited release to theaters on February 17th.
Tessa Smith is a Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer-approved Film and TV Critic. She is also a Freelance Writer. Tessa has been in the Entertainment writing business for ten years and is a member of several Critics Associations including the Critics Choice Association and the Greater Western New York Film Critics Association.