Review of Monsters and Men (2018) by Alexander F — 07 Oct 2018

This past year has seen a number of films directly addressing race relations in the United States and specifically police brutality (Detroit, Sorry to Bother you, Blindspotting, The Hate U Give). What makes Monsters and Men stand out is how well it manages to balance so many different perspectives on the issue without ever feeling simplistic or contrived.

Each character feels real and genuine, and each argument on either side of the issue is given the time it deserves. As an audience member you are then not left with a single point being preached or a resounding lesson learned, what you are left with is two sides of an unresolved argument and the responsibility of drawing your own conclusions.

Green treats his audience like adults, never spoon-feeding them simple resolutions, never resorting to cliche's or classic movie tropes, and making no pretense that his film holds the answer to resolve the complicated questions he presents.

Scola's photography blends the ethereal beauty of Terence Malick and the urban grit of shows like The Wire, creating a juxtaposition that at once manages to feel both cinematic and wholly authentic.

While much of the media today seems drawn into either polarization or apathy, Monster's and Men sheds some much needed perspective from the center of conflict, reminding us that we are all part of a community.