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Tyler Harlow

New to Netflix: High Flying Bird


Starring: André Holland, Zazie Beetz, Zachary Quinto, Sonja Sohn, Bill Duke, Kyle MacLachlan, Melvin Gregg, Justin Hurtt-Dunkley

Director: Steven Soderbergh

Ray Burke (André Holland) is a smooth, fast-talking sports agent trying to make ends meet during the NBA lockout, which has already lasted 6 months. His client, rookie and #1 pick Erick Scott (Melvin Gregg), is getting increasingly frustrated that he isn't playing or making money. With the lockout showing no signs of ending, Ray comes up with an idea to help the owners and the Players Association, led by David Seton (Kyle MacLachlan) and Myra (Sonja Sohn) respectively, finally come to an agreement. Ray, along with his assistant Sam (Zazie Beetz), begins to fuel a rivalry between Erick and his star teammate Jamero Umber (Justin Hurtt-Dunkley), ending with them showing up to play each other one on one. Video of the impromptu event shows up online and is watched by millions. Will Ray be able to use this footage to convince the power hungry owners that the players can make money without the league or will his plan blow up in his face?


Soderbergh has always been a provocative filmmaker who is unafraid to experiment, continuing to push the envelope when it comes to the medium. Even when his experiments fail, he remains undeterred and continues to be willing to try new things. Here he continues to improve on his current experiment that he began with Unsane last year, filming on an iPhone 7 using a wide angle lens. It worked well in the thriller genre and it works even better here. The film looks great and continues to show young film makers they can make quality product with a common iPhone.


It helps that he is working from a smart and equally provocative script by Tarell Alvin McCraney, who wrote the story the film Moonlight is based on. His script, which is the heist version of Moneyball, crackles with smart dialogue and intriguing characters. Nothing felt wasted and even the small parts felt necessary and well fleshed out. There is a lot of sports talk, including multiple thought provoking references likening the player/owner relationship to slavery, but you're so caught up in the story and characters that you don't ever feel lost.


André Holland should be a star and this film continues to offer proof. After his brief but affecting turn in Moonlight, he is given a commanding lead role here. Ray is always the smartest man in the room and is always in control even when he doesn't appear to be. Ray is also very layered and as the film presses on, each new layer is revealed; whether it's him briefly reflecting on his cousin who died or acceptance of being fired. These are the types of characters Soderbergh loves and it shows.


Soderbergh, post retirement, has become one of my favorite filmmakers to watch and enjoy. He's willing to try new things and provide inventive ways to keep film interesting. I can't wait to see what he does next.


B+

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