Film Reviews & Movie Analysis

The Small Axe anthology so far, Mangrove and Lovers Rock.

Written by Steve McQueen and Courttia Newland
Directed by Steve McQueen

Broadcast: BBC One, 29th November 2020
Synopsis: Based on the true story of Leroy Logan who joined the force following his fathers assault by the Metropolitan Police.
Cast: John Boyega, Steve Toussaint, Antonia Thomas

Leroy Logan (John Boyega) was all set to live an ordinary but safe life with his degree in Biology and profession as a Research Scientist. When his father Ken (Steve Toussaint) winds up in hospital, his motivations change entirely. A brutal, unnecessary and unlawful attack by the metropolitan police spurred his only son to join the force to motivate change from within.

As one has come to expect from Small Axe, Red, White and Blue gives a very limited view of life for Leroy Logan, his family, his actions and his journey.

There were some fantastic scenes both visually (that bit where his locker swinging open towards the camera!), and dramatically.

In one of the greatest scenes of the film, Leroy walks into the breakroom filled with white officers playing pool and chatting and asks; why did none of you back me? Their collective silence spoke volumes.

Their silence was an admission of their racial prejudice, it allowed the audience to realise they didn’t need the answer to be voiced because they all knew the reason, but I also viewed it very pointedly as; there is nothing to be said. There was no right answer because what they did was wrong, plain and simple.

It did frustrate me this time around how many potential stories were hinted at but whose surfaces were never scratched. What was Leroy’s colleague PC Asif Kamali facing? What did Leroy’s sister Hyacinth think about all this? Leroy’s best friend Leee John was a well known (possibly Gay) world touring musician – what was that like?! Why didn’t Leroy’s wife/girlfriend like going round to his parents? What did she sacrifice for him?

I want answers!

Great casting, fantastic acting and a hard hitting film into the start of an uphill battle for one man, determined to see change.

Trailer Below…

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Next up: Alex Wheatle premiering on BBC One, Sunday 6th December 2020