Passing Movie Review

Passing (2021)

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Written by: Rebecca Hall (written by), Nella Larsen (based on the novel by)
Directed by: Rebecca Hall
Starring: Tessa Thompson, Ruth Negga, André Holland, Bill Camp, Gbenga Akinnagbe, Alexander Skarsgård
Rated: PG-13
Watch the trailer

Plot
An unexpected reunion between two high school friends, ignites a mutual obsession that threatens both of their carefully constructed realities.

Verdict
This does a great job of portraying the difference in race as purely perception. These two characters are vastly different, and their choices and situations make us wonder if they're happy. Each of the women seems to think the other has it better while they both react to segregation differently.
It depends.

Review
This is filmed in black and white and in this case it really plays to the story as the difference between skin color fades away. 

Irene (Tessa Thompson) is nervously passing for white inside a hotel on a hot day and by chance meets Clare (Ruth Negga) who is easily passing as white. Even Clare's husband has no idea. In fact he thinks Clare is racist. That's not why Clare avoids blacks, she doesn't want to get caught as passing, jeopardizing the life she's created.

Tessa Thompson plays Irene

Irene and Clare were childhood friends who lost contact. Clare is quite forward in wanting to re-build the friendship. Irene is hesitant.
The question is whether it's worth it to pass. Irene questions whether she's satisfied with her life as Clare uses Irene to re-visit the neighborhood she misses. Clare seems to be more than just nostalgic, and she even states she gets what she wants no matter what. Clare can transition between black and white where Irene can't. Irene can't bring her husband and children along.

Clare is the envy of nearly everyone. Part of it is her appearance, especially in Harlem, but she's also carefree in a way many people aren't. That's why Irene envies Clare. Irene can't fully let go when passing. And part of this movie is that everyone is trying to pass in some form or manner.

Ruth Negga and Tessa Thompson play Clare and Irene

The movie feels detached, like it's on the outside looking in and that may very well be my perspective because I haven't had to pass in the way or to the degree of the characters in the movie. The idea that everyone is passing in some way feels like an attempt for the movie to be more inclusive, but it doesn't need to be.

Clare seemed to be putting herself in a vulnerable position by visiting both worlds. With the conclusion of this movie, I wanted a bit more. Was Irene just jealous of Clare? Maybe Irene is afraid Clare wants to steal Irene's life, but that doesn't seem to have a basis in what we've seen.