This movie review delves into the plot, characters, and themes of the film “A Lot of Nothing”, exploring its impact and overall quality.
“A Lot of Nothing,” the directorial debut of Mo McRae, is a bold, audacious film that blends social satire with absurdist farce, all while tackling the deeply relevant and sensitive issue of police brutality against unarmed Black victims. The film centers on James (Y’lan Noel) and Vanessa (Cleopatra Coleman), a successful Black couple who decide to take justice into their own hands after discovering that their white neighbor, a police officer, has killed an unarmed Black child. What begins as a tense social drama quickly escalates into a chaotic and unpredictable hostage situation when James’ brother, Jamal (Shamier Anderson), and his pregnant wife, Candy (Lex Scott Davis), arrive for dinner and are unwillingly dragged into the couple’s scheme.
McRae’s direction is confident, especially for a first-time feature director. The film’s stylistic choices—such as creative cinematography and a fresh, thumping jazz score—add a layer of flair that accentuates the film’s no-holds-barred approach. The shifts in tone, however, from social satire to absurdist comedy and back to serious drama, do not always flow seamlessly. While this unpredictability can be entertaining, it also leads to a disjointed narrative that sometimes feels overstuffed with ideas.
At its core, “A Lot of Nothing” is a reflection on the cyclical nature of hatred and bigotry, and how these conversations often end worse than they begin, with people only truly listening to themselves. The film does not offer clear answers or solutions to the issues it raises, instead presenting a script filled with buzzwords and sharp dialogue that ultimately lacks a coherent thesis. The characters, though intriguing, often come across as archetypes rather than fully realized individuals, serving more as vessels for the film’s ideas than as complex human beings.
Despite these flaws, “A Lot of Nothing” remains a thought-provoking and stylish debut that will leave viewers with much to ponder. McRae’s film may not provide easy answers, but it does succeed in holding a mirror up to society, forcing us to confront uncomfortable truths about justice, race, and the way we engage with these issues. While not perfect, it is an ambitious and entertaining film that marks McRae as a director to watch.
