Nickel Boys: Powerful and Unique

When I heard about Nickel Boys, I knew that it had the potential to be an impactful film, one that might reveal truths about the past. While I was watching it, however, I ended up immersed in the emotional and powerful friendship between the two Black teenagers. The unique film cinematography combined with the dynamic performances makes the film haunting.

Nickel Boys is a historical drama film based on the 2019 novel The Nickel Boys by Colson Whitehead. The film is directed by RaMell Ross who co-wrote the screenplay with Joslyn Barnes. In the movie, the story follows two African-American boys, Elwood (Ethan Herisse) and Turner (Brandon Wilson), who are sent to an abusive reform school in 1960’s Florida. Elwood Curtis is falsely accused by the cops of being an accomplice to stealing a car. After being sent to Nickel Academy, he develops a friendship with another boy Turner as they try to survive the abuse and the corrupt administrators. Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor plays Elwood’s grandmother Hattie. Hamish Linklater is Spencer, one of the school’s administrators. Daveed Diggs plays adult Elwood.

One of the factors for why the film is powerful is the unique use of first person point of view. Alternating between Elwood and Turner, the shooting immerses you directly into what each of them sees, heightening the sense of friendship between the two and increasing empathy in the audience. The audience experiences the story as the characters interact with each other and survive Nickel Academy. The story also alternates between the past at the reform school and in the present with adult Elwood as the school’s secrets and abuse are uncovered. This cinematography heightens the tension and when the secrets are revealed, it leaves a more profound impact.

The story is emotional. The narrative introduces Elwood first as you realize what a bright and caring young man he is, as he gets involved in politics and justice. And then his bright future gets wiped away by a miscarriage of justice. We meet Turner with Elwood, as Turner helps Elwood even when he doesn’t need to, getting involved despite his cynical nature. The pair’s friendship develops as they help each other survive the brutal school. Despite the darkness, Elwood refuses to allow his light to go out and Turner responds to that by helping Elwood when things are at their worst. That friendship and the ways in which they help each other is what makes the story so profound.

Both Ethan Herisse and Brandon Wilson are amazing in this film. The dynamic between them is emotional and powerful. The connection between them creates depth and heightens the impact of the film’s events. Ethan Herisse portrays Elwood as bright and caring, full of hope. Brandon Wilson in contrast portrays Turner as cynical and street savvy. The contrast between them allows both characters to grow both in their friendship and as individuals. Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor is powerful as Hattie, Elwood’s grandmother, especially as she faces the injustice of his situation. Hamish Linklater is incredibly skilled as Spencer, frightening in his portrayal as one of the abuser’s of the students. The entire cast is profoundly good.

While the film is powerful and unique, it is not perfect. During the first half of the film, it is difficult to follow the first person point of view and can be confusing if it is Elwood or Turner that is the focus. That lack of clarity makes it harder to engage with the characters. It is only in the second half of the film that the connections are clearer and the story becomes more engaging. The film also engages a lot of imagery that is meant to be metaphors for the danger for both young men. While some of it is fairly easy to follow, some of the imagery just ends up being unnecessary to the narrative. Still, with the excellent performances, the film is emotional and profound.

If you like historical films or want to learn more about how African American boys were treated in the 1960’s at reform schools, I do recommend this film. It was an illuminating piece of history. While Nickel Academy is fictional, the school is based on a real school, Dozier School for Boys. The reality of what the young men at this school experienced should be more widely known. The drama and emotional elements are powerful and unique. The close up first person point of view is unusual and creates a more emotional impact. The performances are brilliant and resonate with emotion. While it is a longer film, I found myself immersed in the story and surprised by the ending.

Rating: 4.5 alligators out of 5