Mangrove was the first of 5 features examining the experiences of London’s West Indian communities over the decades (my review). After watching the remaining 4, it’s obvious that there’s a predominant political message throughout, which makes them almost feel like an educational series. However, with the considerable talents of director Steve McQueen, they’re more artistically satisfying. Here’s my rundown of the remaining 4:

 

 

Lovers Rock

This film revolves almost completely around an 80s house party. The majority of that time is devoted to the happy dancing and raucous revelry in a somewhat impressionistic style. There’s a bit of character interaction, but it’s mostly a celebration of the culture’s music and dialect. I found it easier to turn on the closed captioning, because the Jamaican Patois is thick and hard to follow.

 

 

Red, White and Blue

 

John Boyega stars as a forensic scientist who forgoes his career to realize his childhood ambition of becoming a London police officer (and the first black one). He starts out successfully during training, but quickly runs into discrimination and harassment from the force. Boyega and everyone else is strong and McQueen’s quiet observations make it more interesting, but the relentless struggle builds frustration with little relief.

 

 

 

Alex Wheatle

 

This biopic is named for and examines the formative years of the popular YA writer. His miserable orphanage experiences are somewhat overcome when he finds community with others in the reggae world. He also encounters unjust police prejudice, which lands him in jail. This proves provident because his cellmate turns him onto his history, changing his attitude and life. As with the others, this is more informative than emotional. BTW, Wheatle is also on the writing staff of this movie.

 

 

Education

 

A 12-year-old boy (Kenyah Sandy in a moving performance) is sent to a school for students with special needs, which is met with outrage from his mother. Turns out the practice is targeted at children of color, especially those of West Indian descent. While this short narrative (63 minutes) lays out the situations with simple directness of a message movie, director Steve McQueen has tempered the pedantic slant with a compelling personal story.