The American Society of Magical Negroes

[Drunk Monk]

The American Society of Magical Negroes

This film had an intriguing concept, and follows through on it at moments, but gets a bit lost with the rom com arc. The ‘magical negro’ is a storytelling cliche labeling black characters who exist only to forward the story arcs of white characters. But what if they were literal? That’s where this goes.

There’s some good moments of social commentary, but ultimately that representation was weak. Coulda been so much more. I liked the leads - Justice Smith and An-Li Bogen have a spark of chemistry but that gets distracting. Maybe it didn’t quite work for me because I’m not black. An-Li is Irish Taiwanese, so perhaps half of her struggles resonated. There were some thought provoking points but this film got lost in its own tone and its desire to be too many things at once.

It did occur to me that the company I currently work for is now completely white. Every once in a while that narrowness rears up, not out of malevolence, more out of naïveté. Thinking back, there have always been POCs at every job I can remember. A recent issue arose where one fellow employee wrote some interview questions for me and one is mighty white - been pondering how to tackle that. Although not directly related, this film made me ruminate over this.

 Not D00M recommended (and not because all of you are white - it’s because ultimately this film misses its mark, and that’s a shame because it had potential.)

Seen on Peacock

[King Bob]

Wasn't there an episode of 30 Rock where they played with that idea? I might have the wrong show. I know I saw it somewhere but it's been a while.

[Drunk Monk]

Maybe? I didn’t watch 30 Rock that assiduously.