Daniel Kaluuya stars in Judas and the Black Messiah, in cinemas now.
Daniel Kaluuya stars in Judas and the Black Messiah, in cinemas now.
A startling true story is invigorated by arresting performances from Daniel Kaluuya and LaKeith Stanfield, both of whom deserve awards recognition for their work here.
The former plays Fred Hampton, the charismatic young leader of the Illinois chapter of the Black Panther Party in the late 1960s. The latter playsBill O'Neal, a petty criminal who is recruited by the FBI to infiltrate the Black Panthers in exchange for not going to jail.
Despite a few close calls, O'Neal is successful and becomes a key member of the Panthers while keeping his FBI handler (played by Jesse Plemons) informed about their activities. Hampton's skill at presenting stirring rhetoric sees his ascension as a leader, concerning the FBI, which tries to suppress his rise with various underhand tactics. Although O'Neal is conflicted about betraying his race, his snitching will eventually have devastating consequences for Hampton.
Representing an inversion of the tone and content of Spike Lee's BlacKkKLansman, Judas does an admirable job of portraying the complexities of the Black Panther movement when it was at its height. The period detail is gritty and authentic, and the governmental attitude to the cause is chilling – Martin Sheen is full-on deplorable as FBI chief J. Edgar Hoover.
But the true power of this film comes from its leading men. Kaluuya makes you want to stand up and fight like Hampton. The scenes of him leading rallies and inspiring fellow Panthers are among the most rousing of their kind ever committed to screen.
Stanfield, always a fascinating actor, conveys a universe of emotion with his gargantuan eyes, generating empathy for a character whose actions should prevent any such connection.
Plemons shades his FBI agent well, and although she isn't in it enough, rising star Dominique Fishback (Project Power) is great as Hampton's girlfriend.
Cast: Daniel Kaluuya, LaKeith Stanfield, Jesse Plemons Director: Shaka King Running time: 125 mins Rating: R13 (Violence, cruelty & offensive language) Verdict:Two devastating lead performances elevate the telling of a shocking true story.
