Watch Pass Over

In Pass Over (2018), two young African American men, Moses and Kitch, dream of escaping their violent Chicago neighborhood and the looming threat of police brutality. The film is directed by Spike Lee and based on the play of the same name by Antoinette Nwandu. The movie opens with Moses and Kitch sitting on a street corner, waiting for something to happen. Their banter is playful and lighthearted, but as they discuss their dreams of leaving the neighborhood, the tone turns more serious. They are interrupted by a white stranger, identified only as Mister, who wanders lethargically onto the scene. Mister claims to be lost, but the language he uses is coded and racist, suggesting that he is a symbol of white privilege and oppression.

As the three men wait together, they recite lines from Samuel Beckett's Waiting for Godot, a play about two men waiting endlessly for someone who never comes. The resonance of the play's themes of waiting, hopelessness, and the human desire for meaning are clear in Pass Over, as Moses and Kitch struggle to find a way out of their situation.

The film moves fluidly between the streets of the neighborhood and the surreal, dreamlike space of the play, emphasizing the sense of limbo that Moses and Kitch exist in. At times, the movie feels like a dystopian nightmare, with police helicopters looming overhead and the threat of violence always present.

Despite the seriousness of the subject matter, Pass Over has moments of humor and tenderness. Moses and Kitch's bond is strong, and they find joy in small things, like sharing a bag of chips. The arrival of a friendly, well-meaning neighbor named Ossie adds some levity to the film and reminds us that not everyone in the neighborhood is a threat.

The performances of the three actors are outstanding, with Jon Michael Hill and Julian Parker bringing depth and nuance to their roles as Moses and Kitch, and Ryan Hallahan imbuing Mister with a sense of unease and danger. Hill in particular is a standout, showcasing his range as an actor in a powerful monologue near the end of the film.

Spike Lee's direction is confident and assured, with an eye for striking visuals and a use of sound that is both subtle and effective. The film's climax is intense and emotional, with a sense of catharsis that is rare in movies that deal with such difficult subject matter.

Pass Over is not an easy movie to watch, but it is a necessary one. It shines a light on the experience of African Americans living in impoverished neighborhoods, and the violence and oppression they face on a daily basis. It is a powerful reminder that the struggle for justice and equality is far from over, and that we must continue to fight against systemic racism and police brutality.

Pass Over is a 2018 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 14 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.1 and a MetaScore of 76.