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In an early scene of “Nickel Boys,” Hattie (portrayed by Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor) forewarns of the impending hardships awaiting her grandson Elwood (Ethan Herisse), a stark reminder of the grim reality faced by many Black Americans, especially in the Jim Crow South. Elwood, a promising youth active in the Civil Rights movement and gearing up to attend technical college, finds his future derailed when he is wrongfully arrested while hitchhiking and sentenced to Nickel Academy. This reform school harbors severe abuses, painting a grim picture of institutional cruelty.

At Nickel Academy, Elwood encounters Turner (Brandon Wilson), a fellow student whose cynicism about the Civil Rights movement contrasts sharply with Elwood’s optimism. Despite their differing outlooks, they form a bond that becomes central to their survival.

The film “Nickel Boys” is an adaptation of Colson Whitehead’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel “The Nickel Boys.” It draws inspiration from Florida’s Dozier School for Boys, where extensive abuses were uncovered in the early 21st century, including numerous unmarked graves. Director RaMell Ross, who co-wrote the screenplay with Joslyn Barnes, eschews a straightforward historical narrative in favor of a complex and abstract storytelling approach. This involves interweaving fictional narrative with archival footage to create a pastiche that challenges viewers’ perceptions.

Ross and his director of photography, Jomo Fray, employ a dual point-of-view technique, switching between Elwood’s and Turner’s perspectives. This method initially disorients viewers but ultimately immerses them in the protagonists’ experiences while also creating a sense of detachment akin to that felt by the reform school’s indifferent authorities.

The film integrates historical context through old photographs, Martin Luther King Jr.’s speeches, and clips from Sidney Poitier’s “The Defiant Ones,” emphasizing the need for prison reform and highlighting systemic racism. These elements add layers to an already intricate narrative, blending personal stories with broader social commentary.

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“Nickel Boys” oscillates between intimate portrayals of its young protagonists’ friendship amid brutality and a detached examination of Black youth’s plight in America. This duality creates a powerful yet academically detached narrative that resonates deeply.

While Wilson and Herisse deliver subtle performances, the film’s first-person perspective often keeps them off-camera, making emotional connection challenging. In contrast, Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor’s portrayal of Hattie stands out as an acting masterclass. Her character embodies generational resilience and weariness, conveying profound emotional depth through minimal scenes.

The film’s score by Scott Alario and Alex Somers is crucial in binding its disparate elements. The music shifts from melodic to jarring as moments of horror approach, heightening the emotional impact.

Though “Nickel Boys” presents a fragmented narrative that can be hard to grasp initially, it ultimately seizes viewers’ attention, leaving them in stunned silence. Grade: A-