‘Blindspotting’ DVD Review
Stars: Daveed Diggs, Rafael Casal, Janina Gavankar, Jasmine Cephas Jones, Ethan Embry, Tisha Campbell-Martin, Utkarsh Ambudkar, Kevin Carroll, Nyambi Nyambi, Jon Chaffin, Wayne Knight, Margo Hall, Ziggy Baitinger, Travis Parker, Lance Holloway | Written by Daveed Diggs, Rafael Casa | Directed by Carlos López Estrada
Collin (Daveed Diggs) must make it through his final three days of probation for a chance at a new beginning. He and his troublemaking childhood best friend, Miles (Rafael Casal), work as movers and are forced to watch their old neighborhood become a trendy spot in the rapidly gentrifying Bay Area. When a life-altering event causes Collin to miss his mandatory curfew, the two men struggle to maintain their friendship as the changing social landscape exposes their differences. Lifelong friends Daveed Diggs and Rafael Casal co-wrote and star in this timely and wildly entertaining story about friendship and the intersection of race and class set against the backdrop of Oakland.
Daveed Digs and Rafael Casal’s Blindspotting is a haunting portrayal of the racial discrimination alive and breathing on the streets of America. The racial discrimination and the consequences of actions of both ethnicity in being white and black are incredibly poignant and the moral implications and double standards are clear and evident. Harsh and effectively gripping to see the smallest and most mundane of normal actions of day to day life be that of constant fear for another human being.
It is this double standard of society that explores the usual normality of a human right in something considered a ‘gift’ that is imposed upon them. This exploration is the spine of Blindspotting. A collective of issues that Diggs’ character Collin has to finally confront and explore in the wake of his probation after an act committed and what’s implied to be an unfair verdict contextually considering the events that unfold with a heavy implication of racial bigotry propelled.
Diggs Collins’ character trajectory and character arc are undeniably engaging and engrossing. Best described as a traumatic vent and cathartic assessment of social injustice. Diggs and Casal Ying and Yang relationship offer much to examine and traverse in its toxicity and fundamental flaws that ultimately are highlighted. Blindspotting perfectly and exquisitely reflects the social inequality put also implements more cinematic and expressive qualities in its delivery through the discourse of rap and hip/hop. Sprinkled only a few instances in its first act, a dramatically powerful flashback/dream sequence in its second leads to an unleashed stunning emotionally rocking climax that is, to say the least jaw-dropping.
Blindspotting is on DVD and Blu-ray now from Lionsgate.
