A review of the new film “Passing”
The title of this film refers to the practice of a light-skinned African-Americans passing themselves off as white, a situation which apparently was quite common in the 1920s when this story is set. The central characters are Irene (Tessa Thompson) and Clare (Ruth Negga), former New York City school friends who meet after a long interval with life-changing consequences for both of them.
Based on a novel of the same name published as long ago as 1929, the movie was written, produced and directed by the actress Rebecca Hall in her first venture behind the camera. While one might think of Hall as classically British and white, it transpires that her mother was part African-American, so that this is a very personal venture for her. At some level, however, this has a message for us all. As one of the characters states: “We’re all passing for something or other, aren’t we?”
“Passing” is an unusual-looking film. It is shot in black & white in 5:4 ratio and often the picture is blurred and the dialogue is muffled. The pacing is slow until a dramatic and ambiguous ending. I doubt that many would have gone to the cinema to see it, but Netflix bought it and the film is an accomplished and moving work to view on the small screen.