🎥: The Harder They Fall - MOVIE Review
Guns slinging, trails blazing, and an all-black cast? The audience was intrigued. Jeymes Samuels’, the director, writer, and producer of The Harder They Fall film has taken the world by storm. An action-packed story of revenge is exactly what the community longed for and received this month. In July 2019 the official news was released of the production with Johnathan Majors attached. This was nearly a decade after the initial idea was formed. With the Lovecraft Country actor attached as the protagonist, and Idris Elba of Luther as the antagonist audiences were sure versatility and range would be provided.
Soon after casting news outlet reported Jay-Z was producing an original song in addition to Samules’ writing and producing all of the composition for the feature. Though there was excitement around Jay-Z’s attachment, it didn’t come as too much of a surprise with an ongoing trend of artists producing soundtracks for black blockbuster films. For example, Kendrick Lamar for Ryan Coogler’s Black Panther and Raphael Sadiq for Issa Rae’s Insecure. After a year delay from its original release, The Harder They Fall hit the Netflix streaming platform for public release on November 3, 2021. Wednesday came around and I started out the day discussing with friends that Samuels’ western was out and this was the moment we needed to tune in with the rest of the world. I began to close the blinds, put my phone to the side, and turn my surround sound on to the perfect level.
The film starts with a modest family starring Michael Beach, DeWanda Wise, and Chase Dillion, gathering together with smiles as they bless their food before a knock suddenly disturbs their dinner. The unannounced guest rattles Mr. Love, setting the tone for immediate violence. Within the first few minutes, Nat Love’s father and mother are murdered right in front of him by the stranger who’s also taken pleasure into engraving a cross in the middle of his forehead. Several years later Nat Love has become a wanted man and leader of an infamous gang that steals from other criminals.
Soon after we learn the man responsible for Nat Love’s parent’s death is Rufus Buck. A notorious killer and gang leader who’s been pardoned of all crimes including the heinous murder of Love’s parents. Thus begins the quest for vengeance by Nat Love and the rest of his gang, Mary Fields, Jim Beckworth, and Bill Pickett played by Zazie Beets, Rj Clyer, and Edi Gathegi. The exciting quest had also brought about an unlikely alliance between Marshall Bass Reeves played by Delroy Lindo and Cuffee played by Danielle Deadwyler.
The quest proves difficult at several turns when coming up against Buck’s gang members Tudy Smith and Cherokee Bill played by Regina King and Lakeith Standfield. Buck’s gain proves to be more ruthless by taking over a black town from Wiley Escoe, played by Deon Cole by nearly beating him to a pulp. This proves to be especially true after the gang must plan out a way to get Fields back as she made the ultimate to be the first to scope out the town, leading to her eventual capture.
The homage to the late Chadwick Boseman and Denzel Washington’s signature hand move in Malcolm X in the first act was my confirmation the film was going to continue getting better. There were several comedic reliefs with the playful banter of Beckworth with Cuffee, Bill, and Clyde Grimes played by Woody McClain. There are incredible moments of female empowerment with Trudy calling the Fields own a saloon with men willing to raise guns for her, Smith calling the shots even when faced with Love calling for her “boss”. These two women face off in a full clenched fist brawl when both gangs begin their shootout. Not to mention Cuffee being the truly fastest gunslinger when she finally puts a cowardice Bill down after cheating the count with Beckworth and shooting Pickett in the back.
When Love and his gang have killed or put down most of the opposing gang. tHere’s only one foe left to face. When finally face to face, instead of being ready to fight for his life Buck’s demeanor is solemn, almost already defeated. He expresses to Love years ago he didn’t just kill Love’s parents and brand him. Buck had killed their father. Buck explains their father had been married to his mother prior to Eleanor Love. He was a vile man who uses to habitually beat Rufus and his mother until he finally killed her and fled.
This comes as a blow to Nat Love as now he realizes there was purpose in Rufus Buck’s cruelty and the man he’s going to put down is his blood. With several shots to the chest. The wild story of love, friendship, brotherhood, and vengeance comes to an end. This film was well worth the wait and watch. I had found myself connecting with each character even well beyond the surface. Samuel had developed characters that supported one another which strengthened the story. A beautiful component to know early on, as though the story isn’t true, the characters are indeed real people. Some of them are historical heroes from the Civil War. In a time where authentic and diverse stories are desired, this was a refreshing watch that many could enjoy. I give it 4/4 skulls.
DISCLAIMER: Please remember this an opinion piece only. All the views and points discussed are of the writer’s only.