"Blindspotting" tackles the issues of prejudice, black/white friendship, police shootings (based on race) and gentrification with elements of comedy and hip-hop. The result is one of the year's most challenging and brilliant films. Daveed Diggs and Rafael Casal play lifelong friends, working as movers in fast changing Oakland, California. Diggs is completing probation. He has a few days left before he can move out of the halfway house, where he lives and gets on with his life. His friends don't make staying out of trouble easy, which provides much of the comedy. One night, rushing to return before his curfew, he witnesses a white policeman shoot and kill a fleeing black man. The event stays with Daveed, and informs the story. "Blindspotting" has genuine moments of sly humor. The actors use hip-hop to express their emotions. They both grew up in Oakland, and wrote this script as a love letter to their home town. "Blindspotting" avoids sentiment and judgment. This one's extraordinary. "Blindspotting," rated "R," 3½ stars. Does it deliver what it promises? Funny, yet thoughtful story of our times. Is it entertaining? Brilliant mix of genres. Is it worth the price of admission? One of the year's must-see movies.
