Four Reasons We’re Loving ‘The Forty-Year-Old Version’

Published: Thursday 8th Oct 2020 by Sam

October 9 brings with it the global release of Radha Blank‘s ‘The Forty-Year-Old Version’ on Netflix.

Video In-Article Ad (Desktop)

A contemporary coming of age story, the film follows New York based playwright Radha.

Video In-Article Ad (Desktop)

With her 40th birthday around the corner, societal pressures, benchmarks, and success markers weigh on her spirit and light a match within to reinvent.

Video In-Article Ad (Desktop)

In pursuit of her “last big shot,” Radha glides between the worlds of theater and Hip-Hop in hopes of volumizing her truest voice.

Video In-Article Ad (Desktop)

The film earned Blank theU.S. Dramatic Competition Directing Award at the 2020 Sundance Film Festival – and deservingly so.

Video In-Article Ad (Desktop)

That Grape Juice was privy to an early viewing. Join us below as we unpack why ‘The Forty Year-Old’ is a must-see.

Video In-Article Ad (Desktop)

Video In-Article Ad (Desktop)

It’s Rooted In The Real, The Raw, & The Relatable

Video In-Article Ad (Desktop)

For as titilating as traditional cinema can be (with all its formula and sheen), this excels for deliberately driving in a different direction.

Video In-Article Ad (Desktop)

Even with its comedic rooting, ‘The Forty-Year-Old Version’ almost watches like a fly-on-the-wall docu-series and is all the more magnetic, human, and moving because of it.

Video In-Article Ad (Desktop)

********

Video In-Article Ad (Desktop)

It’s Hilarious

Video In-Article Ad (Desktop)

Laughter is a constant across each chapter of the film. Whether it’s the rambunctious class-room scenes, botched performances, spars with bestie-agent Archie, or the choking fraternizations with execs, there are so many laugh-out-loud moments. All of which resonate the more because the execution is so subtle and oft so sudden.

Video In-Article Ad (Desktop)

********

Video In-Article Ad (Desktop)

Its Darkness 

Video In-Article Ad (Desktop)

The film undoubtedly projects elements of light (from hope to humor), but it doesn’t avoid the dark.

Video In-Article Ad (Desktop)

Death and doubt are constant themes that run concurrently alongside the less weightier aspects of the narrative.

Video In-Article Ad (Desktop)

In some regards, the monochrome cinematography is emblematic of this.

Video In-Article Ad (Desktop)

********

Video In-Article Ad (Desktop)

It Has A Charming Core 

Video In-Article Ad (Desktop)

‘The 40-Year-Old Version’ excels in its dual exploration of reaching for one’s dreams and navigating the man-made ceilings society imposes on folk of a certain age, race, and social status.

Video In-Article Ad (Desktop)

Radha’s truest triumph comes in finding her voice and the charming journey to that destination.

Video In-Article Ad (Desktop)

********

Video In-Article Ad (Desktop)

Video In-Article Ad (Desktop)

********

Video In-Article Ad (Desktop)

‘The 40-Year-Old Version’
Arrives On Netflix Worldwide October 9 2020

Video In-Article Ad (Desktop)

Your thoughts?

Video In-Article Ad (Desktop)

Posted under:

Comments 1

Please Post Your Comments & Reviews

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

  1. LongDongBlackKong 🍆 D-doing, doing, doing October 8, 2020

    I’ll pass… I will watch the haunting of blu manor tho. Even it’s a little too white for me.

Recommended Posts
..**