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Fatale – Movie Review
What’s It about:
After a wild one-night stand, Derrick (Michael Ealy), a successful sports agent, watches his perfect life slowly disappear when he discovers that the sexy and mysterious woman he risked everything for, is a determined police detective (Hilary Swank) who entangles him in her latest investigation. As he tries desperately to put the pieces together, he falls deeper into her trap, risking his family, his career, and even his life.
Who’s in it:
Cast: Hilary Swank, Michael Ealy, Mike Colter, Tyrin Turner, Damaris Lewis. Director:Deon Taylor
What’s to like:
A Black film about a fatal attraction has been done before but I don’t think it has been quite done like this. A solid cast, an interracial relationship, a successful Black Business and some twists and turns makes this something you won’t see coming but is worth seeing. I was curious as to how Academy Award winner Hilary Swank was going to play as a sexual interest and Fatale gave me more to think about than a mere one night stand. There is real chemistry between Michael Ealy and Swank but it is that “I wish I didn’t get involved with her” kind of chemistry. An oil and vinegar that might be good on a sub sandwich but not on a great burger. What Fatale does well is set you up in a way that you guess what is next, you talk to the screen and you notice the setting, scenery and shots. Fatale is a tense and fun film which makes everyone suspect You know how you ask when watching a movie “did a Black person write this?” Well, the dialogue and situations (that crazy cousin), while universal, have those things that only come from understanding the culture. Mike Colter plays a great business partner or not, but I like his performance. I can’t help but mention, that as beautiful as Damaris Lewis is as Ealy’s wife, you wonder why he would stray in the first place but that is what makes it interesting.
What’s not to like
Some of this will have you saying “really?”, so you will have to suspend belief. You will say things like “I wouldn’t do that” or “this wouldn’t happen to me” but I think Fatale works as a piece of escapism and intrigue and more importantly, conversation.
My rating
Worth watching – 3 Reels
The Reel Critic Roundtable: MLK/FBI, Outside The Wire and One Night In Miami
This week the critics: Kathia Woods, Shawn Edwards and myself discussed the MLK/FBI documentary, Outside the wire and One Night In Miami. We also discussed a few issues surrounding streaming including the closing of Family Video, Netflix releasing a new movie every week in 2021 and the fact that Mandalorian becomes the first non-netflix show to top Nielsen streaming chart.
The Reel Critic Roundtable: Wonder Woman 1984, Promising Young Woman and Pieces of A Woman
In this episode the critics discuss Wonder Woman, Promising Young Woman and Pieces of A Woman.
The Reel Critic Roundtable: Sylivie’s Love, One Night In Miami, Lover’s Rock, Miss Juneteenth and More
This week we pack in a list of films we just didn’t get to discuss and we discuss some films which just made an impact on us.
The Reel Critic Roundtable: Greenland, Another Round, Fatale and Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom
This week, the critics (Shawn Edwards, Kathia Woods, Mercendez Springer and Reggie Ponder discuss Greenland, Another Round, Fatale and Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom. We also discuss several industry issues.
The Reel Critic Roundtable: Mangrove, Red White and Blue, Nomadland, Mank and Dear Santa
The Critics look at 5 movies and we had so much fun. We discussed two of Steve McQueen’s new films in his new release of five films, Mangrove and Red White and Blue. We also discussed Frances McDormand in Nomadland, the film Mank, and the documentary Dear Santa. Then the critics discussed some issues including Warner Bros putting their entire 2021 slate on HBOMAX and James Corden accused of gay-face.
The Reel Critic Roundtable: Jingle Jangle, The Life Ahead and Uncle Frank
This week, the critics talk about Jingle Jangle, The Life Ahead and Uncle Frank. We also discuss many current issue including Alex Trebeck, Waiting To Exhale TV Series and Woke being greenlit for a second season.
Sonia Lowman Talks About Her Documentary Black Boys
Reggie Ponder, The Reel Critic, interviews Sonia Lowman About her new film Black Boys. BLACK BOYS illuminates the spectrum of black male humanity in America. An intimate, inter-generational exploration, BLACK BOYS strives for insight to black identity and opportunity at the nexus of sports, education and criminal justice.
