@MrCraigRobinson @markeesxmas
One of the most heartwarming films of the year will finally be released in select theaters when Morris From America hits theaters this Friday, August 19th.
We reviewed this special film when it showed at BAMcinemaFest this past June, wherein comedic actor Craig Robinson takes a dramatic turn as a widowed father searching for a second chance for he and his son, the titular Morris, in Heidelberg, Germany where he now works as a professional soccer coach.
As I remarked in the original review, while Robinson is well-known for his comedic chops in NBC’s The Office, Hot Tub Time Machine, and so much more, in his first dramatic and very paternal role, he is truly wonderful as a man working hard to instill morals and values in his son, and still trying to cope with the loss of his wife. Mature, yet funny in trying to prove how he can relate to his son, mostly through hip-hop music (creating some of the best scenes), when he is left alone as Morris tries to ‘find’ himself, the sadness (yet not pity) that Robinson’s character Curtis portrays goes past the point of touching.
As strong as Robinson is, Markees Christmas as Morris is a natural actor. He never feels quite like he is acting as he faces his fish-out-of-water status in amusing (to us) and cringe-worthy youthful ways. The hormone-swelling Morris needs to figure things out his own way, and find as voice as both a budding man and rapper, so 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 rebellious Katrin. Two years Morris’ senior at 15 years old, the tempting Katrin totally has Morris in the ‘friend zone,’ a position he spends the majority of the movie trying to climb out of. 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.
The outcast angle is a steadfast one, yet 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.
An A24 release, Morris From America is definitely a film you should catch on the big screen, hopefully with a great audience. Check your local listings for theaters.
MORRIS FROM AMERICA
Directed by Chad Haritgan
With Markees Christmas, Craig Robinson, Carla Juri, Lina Keller
USA/Germany – 91 min.
Additional links:
- Morris From America website
- Jeru The Damaja’s “Come Clean”
