Skylan Brooks, in particular, was fantastic as Mister, and young Ethan Dizon was adorable as the sidekick

Yes, the movie's mostly melodramatic and "small" but it helps to look at the story through the eyes of Mister, because it's mostly his story and his struggle. I don't recall a scene that doesn't have him in it.

I thought the script was fine but the problems for me came in with the female roles. J-Hud was okay but wasn't given much to play besides heroin-addled hooker. Jordin Sparks (hi, Jordin) wasn't very effective in her limited screen time. And once this movie gets out there I wouldn't be shocked (though I would be annoyed) if we got a few "think pieces" about how this movie is allegedly "demonizing black women," which imo will not be valid because, again, this is Mister's story, this is his world and what he sees and experiences...

Actually, now that I think about it, it's easy to say that the adults (including Jeffrey Wright and Anthony Mackie) weren't given much to do but that's also a misnomer, because, again, the story has to be viewed through the eyes of a 13-year old boy, whose tough exterior masks some of the real fear that he has of the world that's around him.

The movie overall is less interested in "poverty porn" than it is in following this young dude around and watching how he adapts to his situation. I found it entertaining and moving in all the right places.

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Passive-Aggressive is the new Hurt Feelings!