Review: Morris from America

The story has been told many times before - a young boy moves into a new neighbourhood and struggles to find his place - but this familiar tale is made fresh by writer-director Chad Hartigan's understated but keenly observed Morris from America.

The film opens with thirteen-year-old aspiring freestyle rapper Morris (Markees Christmas) being sent to his room and grounded by his father Curtis (Craig Robinson) for not liking nineties-era rap music (Morris deems the beat too slow; his father counters that a good beat is about supporting the rhythm, not overpowering it). The grounding lasts for all of five minutes before his father, all by himself at the dining table, takes his boy out for ice cream. This is where we discover that father and son are living in Heidelberg, a picturesque German town where they seem the only people of colour.

Heidelberg is a far cry from his hometown of Richmond, New York and Morris is understandably resentful of his surroundings, though he is making an effort to learn the local language via one-on-one lessons with Inka (Carla Juri), who also serves as a big sister of sorts to the motherless Morris. She encourages him to join the local youth center so he can make friends, something the socially awkward Morris is not too keen on doing - at least not until he sets his eyes on fifteen-year-old Katrin (Lina Keller), who is sure to bring him equal parts happiness and heartbreak.

Much of the film focuses on Morris as he deals with racist assumptions (ranging from his fellow teens thinking he would be up for playing basketball to a teacher confronting him, and only him, when a marijuana joint is found on school premises), his ever-awakening libido, his feelings for Katrin (made complicated by her passive-aggressive taunting and teasing), and finding his own identity. The latter is especially expressed through his own music, which is an outlet for his frustrations, but which ape the often violent and misogynistic braggadoccio of gangsta rappers instead of his own experiences as an African-American stranger in a strange land.

Christmas is a wonderful find, effortlessly commanding the screen and generating a natural charisma that keeps one emotionally invested in Morris. Hartigan is remarkably clear-eyed about this boy and every adventure taken, especially the forbidden road trip that surely goes awry, rings true.

Though primary attention is paid to Morris, the film's most resonant narrative thread belongs to Curtis, who is just as adrift, if not more so, than his son. Robinson is the genuine standout here - his portrayal of a man just trying to do right as a father is simply beautiful to watch. The heart to heart between father and son is worth the price of admission alone. Curtis makes it clear to Morris that he's not trying to prevent Morris from having new experiences and exploring different identities, but they have to be on the same team. "Tell me what's going on and I'll be there for you," Curtis says at the end and, if you're not in tears or at least choked up by that point, then your heart must surely be made of stone.

Morris from America

Directed by: Chad Hartigan

Written by: Chad Hartigan

Starring: Markees Christmas, Craig Robinson, Carla Juri, Lina Keller, Patrick Güldenberg, Levin Henning, Jakub Gierszal