Telluride: “Nickel Boys” Amazes Premiere Audience

When Telluride Film Festival director Julie Huntsinger introduced “Nickel Boys” at its world premiere screening on Friday night, she didn’t hold back any excitement. Describing it as “a towering achievement,” Huntsinger revealed to Indiewire that the film left her in awe. “You almost can’t speak after because it’s cinematically engaging, arresting, and emotionally rewarding. It should be one of the most talked-about films of the whole year.”

Judging by the audience response, Huntsinger’s prediction seems likely to come true. RaMell Ross’s adaptation of Colson Whitehead’s Pulitzer Prize-winning 2019 novel “The Nickel Boys” captivated viewers, who found new ways to express their admiration.

Vanity Fair’s David Canfield hailed the film as astounding, lauding it as a great adaptation of a great novel. AwardsWatch editor Sophia Ciminello echoed this sentiment, calling it a staggering film that breaks new ground in adaptation and documentation.

Variety senior awards editor Clayton Davis noted the film’s lasting impact, emphasizing Ross’s visionary direction and praising Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor’s standout performance.

The enthusiasm didn’t end there. “Nickel Boys” is remarkable for its first-person perspective, shifting at key moments to a second-person approach. The story follows Elwood Curtis, portrayed by Ethan Herisse, a bright Black teenager navigating the horrors of the Jim Crow South. On the verge of college, a split-second decision lands him in a notorious reformatory, where he forms a pivotal alliance with Turner, played by Brandon Wilson.

Co-writer Joselyn Barnes discussed the film’s approach in the press notes. Highlighting the trauma central to the book, Barnes and Ross sought a different narrative framing. Ross’s talent for visual storytelling led them to a first-person perspective to better convey the story’s emotional depth.

Ross, making his narrative feature debut after an Oscar nomination for his documentary “Hale County This Morning, This Evening,” explained his unique process. Initially creating a “script” composed entirely of images, Ross drew inspiration from George Miller’s storyboard-driven approach for “Mad Max: Fury Road.”

“I was always in awe of George Miller, who storyboarded the entire thing before writing. I thought, ‘Ah! I understand that process.’ Then Joslyn and I can retroactively fill in the language,” Ross said. He aimed to visually imagine his childhood or an imagined one, resulting in a deeply personal representation.

The film also boasts impressive contributions from its team. Cinematography by Jomo Fray and editing by Nicholas Monsour add to the film’s immersive experience. Produced by Plan B’s Dede Gardner, Jeremy Kleiner, David Levine, and Barnes, Amazon MGM and Orion Pictures will release “Nickel Boys” in limited theaters on October 25 before its New York Film Festival opening.

“Nickel Boys” has evoked a flood of social media acclaim. David Ehrlich described it as immense and a shining example of cinematic adaptation. Jackson Vickery was left speechless and praised the film’s fine craftsmanship. Bilge Ebiri assured “Hale County” fans that Ross maintained his cinematic vision without going conventional.

Erik Anderson called it a barrier-breaking work with audacious POV scenes and gorgeous cinematography. Matt Neglia praised Ross’s artistic vision and the film’s sensory experience. Josh commended the film for its exquisite perspective, innovative archival footage, and powerful renditions of cruelty.

Robert Daniels described the film as bold and arresting, highlighting its striking POV lensing and strong performances. Tomris Laffly compared it to the experience of watching “All Dirt Roads Taste of Salt,” also lensed by Jomo Fray, emphasizing Ross’s expansion of cinematic boundaries.

The consensus is clear: “Nickel Boys” is an extraordinary film that pushes the limits of what cinema can achieve, leaving an indelible mark on its audience.

Source: Various