Sorry to Bother You (2018): A cinematic extravaganza
In 2018, cinema fans were treated to a true spectacle—the debut directorial release of Boots Riley: Sorry to Bother You. This surrealist black comedy focuses on issues surrounding poverty and the general economic status of those who live in the United States, taking a hyperbolic look at what these individuals’ lives entail centering on one Cassius Green. Though seeming somewhat straightforward, this is a film that will keep you guessing about what could possibly be coming next.
Before getting to the actual plot of this film, we must address the star-studded cast who make the film so effective: LaKeith Stanfield, who plays Cassius; Tessa Thompson, who plays Detroit; Armie Hammer, who plays Steve Lift; and Steven Yeun, who plays Squeeze. These four actors, though not anywhere close to all this movie has to offer, act in pivotal roles that serve to catalyze the film’s surreal plot. Without these actors, this finished product wouldn’t be the masterpiece it is now… but let’s get into that.
The highly complex and layered world of Sorry to Bother You is almost identical to ours, with just a few slight, but significant, differences. These differences shape the film, moving it out of our reality and placing us in this absurdist world that resembles ours, crafting an experience where we already know the rules of the capitalist game, just not how long the game has gone on. These differences form the narrative we see, create the situations our characters must overcome, and make this word memorable, but enough just talking about them implicitly. Let us go deeper.
The central plot of this film takes place in Oakland, California, which operates almost the same as its real-world counterpart—the only difference is the extent of impoverished citizens. The people who occupy this world have access to less than 1% of the wealth while making up 99% of the population, showing the true extent that greed has ravaged this world. These people struggle to make ends meet, taking up jobs that consume their entire life and depending on substances to escape their cruel reality. So, this is a world much like our own—almost the same. The only difference is that this information is explicitly known.
These people reflect us and what our capitalist society has propelled us towards, acting not only as a warning but as a reflection of who we truly are. Every part of this is designed to encapsulate the essence of American issues, taking a hyperbolic route to address them but still finding a way to communicate with the audience effectively. The best example of this has to be “Worryfree,” the mega-corporation that acts as this story’s central antagonist, trying to undermine and extort the 99% of people living in poverty through less-than-human methods. We see their tactics of convincing people, showing how backhanded these tactics are, all of which are employed in our world, making it that much more intriguing to see.
The best part about the mirror that Riley holds up throughout this film is its result, the shattering of the facade created. Without expressly saying how this film ends, its final act is a masterpiece that will keep you on the edge of your seat until the credits roll. The culmination of so many plot points in an unorthodox and chaotic manner may come off to many as unsatisfactory. This approach, though grandiose, serves a purpose, going above all expectations for its ending, and it takes a highly unorthodox route to get there.
Though this is broad, I do not want to give anything significant away from this film. It is pure mania. I can assure you that, though this review is rather general, you’ll come out of this film seeing it as a masterclass work containing signs of serious sophistication and dedication to the craft. Every part of this film stands out and goes above and beyond what it initially set out to do. Also, it’s not talked about anywhere near where it should be. This is a rare type of film, one where every detail shows intentionality. You can find this streaming on Google Play, Amazon Prime, Vudu, Redbox, Apple TV, or wherever you watch movies! I promise you, Sorry to Bother You is a film that you should watch as soon as possible!