You had me at Jeru the Damaja.
“Come Clean,” the classic and somewhat underground song from the aforementioned 1990’s hip-hop artist opens the heartwarming new film Morris From America, a coming-of-age meets fish-out-of-water tale from director Chad Hartigan (This is Martin Bonner, 2013). And if you’re familiar with the song (don’t worry, there’s a link below!) the lyrics from “Come Clean” perfectly encapsulate the titular character’s demeanor and swag, as the budding rapper tries to, and fails repeatedly, to find his place in a strange land – Heidelberg, Germany.
It’s difficult enough to be 13 years old, growing into your body and forming your own sensibilities. Morris Gentry, both small and rotund, is feeling this entire youthful trauma as he is forced to live it in this very foreign city, with his dad Curtis as his only real friend. A professional soccer coach Curtis, still dealing with being a widower, has his own issues in addition to trying to be even-keeled and cool at the same time – which we find instantly in his trying to school Morris in “real” hip-hop (hence, Jeru the Damaja), old-school beats and all. But the hormone-swelling Morris needs to figure things out his own way, and after prompting from his German language teacher (the scene-stealing Carla Juri) to hang out with kids his own age, Morris instantly finds girl trouble in the tempting Katrin, 15 years old and rebellious as all get out. Much like one would imagine his father being at that age, Morris learns the hard way how to get along (rather, not get along), becoming even more culture-shocked than ever.
Yet the hard-headed Morris, played by newcomer Markees Christmas, is so endearing on-screen even when making the silliest or worst of mistakes, one can’t help but fall further in love with the idea of the affable young man that he’ll soon grow up to be. It’s fateful that Morris From America is playing in yet another festival with Wiener-Dog, Todd Solandz’ relative sequel to Welcome to the Dollhouse, one of the best, and in many ways traumatic, films about growing up.
Much like Dollhouse’s heroine Dawn Wiener, Morris is a social outcast just trying to find his own way in the world – but more awkward and less goofy than other comparable teenage film roles. The outcast angle is no novel film plot, but as Morris’ actors inhabit their roles in such a powerful way, with equal pathos and humor, you cannot imagine it being done any other way. This is a huge credit to the Hartigan’s stellar screenplay as well, which includes a rare quote from Spike Lee.
That all said, casting remains key with having Craig Robinson playing Morris’ dad Curtis. Known for his comedic chops in NBC’s The Office, Hot Tub Time Machine, and so much more, this is Robinson’s first dramatic role and he is nothing short of amazing in it. Mature yet funny in trying to prove how he can relate to his son, when he is left alone as Morris tries to ‘find’ himself, the sadness (yet not pity) that he portrays in having to travel across the world to find work as a coach, and escape the death of his wife, goes past the point of touching. As with Christmas, Craig Robinson is the ideal person for this role.
Morris From America is definitely a film you should catch on the big screen, hopefully with a great audience.
MORRIS FROM AMERICA – NY Premiere
Directed by Chad Haritgan
With Markees Christmas, Craig Robinson, Carla Juri, Lina Keller
USA/Germany – 91 min.
Friday, Jun 24 – 6:45pm at BAM Rose Cinemas
Morris From America is also available exclusively on DIRECTV beginning July 7th and opens theatrically in select cities on August 19th.
Additional links:
- BAMcinemaFest website
- Morris From America website
- Jeru The Damaja’s “Come Clean”
- Bold As Love’s noteworthy films from BAMcinemafest 2016
