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‘The Harder They Fall’

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Pistol packing outlaws blasting bullets

By Dwight Brown | NNPA News Wire Film Critic

The setup for this shoot ‘em up started with the 2013 short film “They Die by Dawn,” the brainchild of Jeymes Samuel, aka “The Bullitts.” It featured Western characters based on real people: Nat Love, played by Michael K. Williams and Stagecoach Mary portrayed by Erykah Badu. Eight years later, after a perfect gestation period, “The Harder They Fall” comes to theaters and Netflix and its genius is no fluke. It’s been nurtured by Samuel and co-writer Boaz Yakin (“Remember the Titans”) who’ve thoughtfully created a wild West tale of biblical proportions with a new cast and additional characters.

Nat Love (Jonathan Majors, “The Last Black Man in San Francisco”) has been trailing and killing badmen who messed with him and his family decades ago. The barrel of his gun has meted out the ultimate punishment again and again. The last one standing is the killer whom he despises most, the cunning and elusive Rufus Buck (Idris Elba). The men’s mutual hatred runs as deep as Cain and Abel’s.

Love rides with his gang: On-and-off again lover Stagecoach Mary (Zazie Beetz, “Atlanta”), the fiery Bill Pickett (Edi Gathegi) and Jim Beckwourth (R.J. Cyler) a gunman who loves showing off his fast draw. Buck, amid a jail transfer, is looking for aid from his posse led by “Treacherous” Trudy Smith (Regina King) and Cherokee Bill (LaKeith Stanfield). Ain’t no town in Texas big enough for the both of ‘em. Something’s gonna happen. Someone’s gonna die.

A graphic murder starts the footage. It’s set in a small house with furniture, fixtures and props that look like they were stolen off the set of “Gunsmoke.”  Clearly, a young Nat has been wronged and emotionally scarred by a demonic act. No need to guess why adult Nat’s revenge is so hellbent. It’s payback—a driving force that propels the film until the last bullet is shot.

The court of characters surrounding Nat and Rufus are as colorful, deadly and memorable as any gunslingers ever assembled for a wes/dra/act/thr. And, somehow, intuitively, Samuel and Yakin have figured out a way for the outlaws to talk in an 1800s country/Western drawl with the ferocity of enraged gangbangers from modern times. Specifically, Majors’ speech pattern, inflection, phrasing and dialogue will leave audiences astounded by his character’s 19th century, post-Civil War authenticity and contemporary swagger.

As a director, Samuel keeps the action coming and coming. Tense verbal confrontations, robberies, gunfights, fisticuffs and riding the range over arid land test the mettle of the cast, stunt doubles and cinematographer. A steady, pulsating rhythm beats faster and faster as it edges towards the film’s 2hr 10min length. Everything is big. Loud. Exaggerated. Especially the thunderous horse hoofs as they pound the earth like explosives. And the soundtrack vibrates with bold music that enhances the film’s bravura spirit, though it doesn’t necessarily reflect the times. Jamaican reggae singer Koffee sings the title track, reggae/dancehall legend Barrington Levy, Jay-Z, Lauryn Hill and Jadakiss bring down the house too.  Only a few scenes flounder or are too far-fetched: a long-winded marriage proposal and an improbable ruse to buy a saloon.

Gunfights are brutal and choreographed with both a grace and ruggedness. The universally convincing performances are a testament to an astute director who knows how to pull what he needs from a very professional cast.

The sterling cast’s vibrant ensemble acting blends perfectly and they are dressed for battle. Danielle Deadwyler’s portrayal of Mary’s androgynous security guard is one for the LGBTQ ages. Delroy Lindo as Sheriff Bass Reeves, who plays both sides of the fence, can blow everyone in his path away. Stanfield’s Cherokee is just sardonic and laconic enough: “Being scared will only give you bad karma in the afterlife.” King is as lethal as a Colt 45 with a slug in its chamber. Beetz straddles the femininity and aggressive qualities of her character well, while Elba parades around like an African king, as he should. If there is one actor that shines a bit brighter it’s Majors, who finds all the right nuances in a boy done wrong settling grievances as a man.

This cowboy tale is unapologetically strong and Afrocentric, a la “Black Panther.” It’s as cutting edge as it is retro. Expect action-loving Netflix watchers to gather around TVs like curious townsfolk eyeballing the gunfight at the O.K. Corral. If you like Westerns as much as you like Black swagger—this one is calling your name. In theaters and on Netflix now.

Visit NNPA News Wire Film Critic Dwight Brown at DwightBrownInk.com and BlackPressUSA.com.

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