Passing

Netflix | Release Date: October 27, 2021

6.6	USER SCORE Generally favorable reviews based on 72 Ratings

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User Reviews

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MattyIce34Nov 11, 2021

It’s well acted and has an interesting topic, but the themes are never fully explored. Still a good debut from Hall.

3 of 3 users found this helpful30

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bertobellamyNov 13, 2021

The acting is good, especially that of Ruth Negga, but there's little exploration of her character's conflict, and that's because the plot is mainly focused on the other one, played by Tessa Thompson. I wish we could've seen more of what wasThe acting is good, especially that of Ruth Negga, but there's little exploration of her character's conflict, and that's because the plot is mainly focused on the other one, played by Tessa Thompson. I wish we could've seen more of what was going on with the personal hell of hiding yourself. Also, I have some reservations about the ending, which seemed to me a little overdramatic. Nevertheless, this is a good debut for Rebecca Hall as a director, and I'm looking forward to seeing more of her in this new role.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

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HerickDienerNov 15, 2021

O ditado popular "nem tudo que reluz é ouro" se encaixa perfeitamente nesse filme. Tecnicamente lindo, mas sem muito a dizer. Nem a ótima atuação de Ruth Negga salva o gosto amargo que diálogos desconexos e cortes de tempo desajeitados deixamO ditado popular "nem tudo que reluz é ouro" se encaixa perfeitamente nesse filme. Tecnicamente lindo, mas sem muito a dizer. Nem a ótima atuação de Ruth Negga salva o gosto amargo que diálogos desconexos e cortes de tempo desajeitados deixam como uma experiência final, apesar do interessante e espinhoso tema abordado.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

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livinmediocreNov 17, 2021

I think one of the most interesting parts of this film is how Irene is constantly avoiding direct eye contact, in a sort of fear of those in public seeing her true skin color. As Hugh says, she could pass if she wants to. And she replies,I think one of the most interesting parts of this film is how Irene is constantly avoiding direct eye contact, in a sort of fear of those in public seeing her true skin color. As Hugh says, she could pass if she wants to. And she replies, maybe I do.

Other than the obviously beautiful black and white cinematography, which is absolutely necessary for a story of this nature, the sound is incredible. Every sound is intentional and can sometimes be deafening.I mention how the black and white cinematography is necessary because that’s how people are viewing the world in that time. Are people black, or white? And it lends a hand with the lighting to alter the complexion of the actors.

And not just the cinematography but the performances (Tessa, Ruth, Andre, Alexander) are incredible. All of the technical aspects really. Cinematography, sound design, the score, production design, costuming, etc. It all comes together and shines through the screen!

And another thing is how much Irene likes to ignore the terrible things that happen in the world. With the collapsing of a man on the sidewalks of New York, the only thing she wants to do is get far far away. And later the talk of the lynching of the man from Little Rock. Because she can pass, it’s a bit easy for her character to ignore tragedy and issues of race. But for her darker skinned family, it is everything to them. As Andre Holland’s character says, they (white folks) hate us (black folks).

I’m unfamiliar with the source material, and as a white man, I can not relate. But the actors, the scripting, the directing, all lend a hand to make you feel what they do. I liked this quite a bit. Make your way to see this!… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

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TVJerryNov 22, 2021

This film is based on the 1929 novel set during the Harlem Renaissance. Tessa Thompson plays a Black woman, who discovers one of her childhood friends (Ruth Negga) is passing for white. They begin a new relationship that calls several issuesThis film is based on the 1929 novel set during the Harlem Renaissance. Tessa Thompson plays a Black woman, who discovers one of her childhood friends (Ruth Negga) is passing for white. They begin a new relationship that calls several issues into question. This first project written/directed by Rebecca Hall is shot in the old-school square ratio in black and white. Hall was able to coax effective performances from the cast, but the entire movie unfolds with the same quiet pace, which allows breathing room for the actors, but fails to create much emotional momentum. There are also time-lapse ellipsis in the timeline that are sometimes confusing. The period dresses are lovely and the actors do a commendable job, but the deliberate pace and almost complete lack of music make the story feel more stark and tamp down the story’s effectiveness.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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marklaing1Feb 20, 2022

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. A wonderful soundtrack, the BW worked well, gorgeous cinematography, superb acting. However, it all sort of fell apart in the second half. It seemed like a movie where Clare, who's passing white with a virtual KKK husband who, another reviewer pointed out was almost a KKK member and is so dumb as to not notice his wife's ethnicity bumps into an old friend Irene. It then turns into a movie where Irene, Clare's old friend from the old neighborhood, is almost losing her husband to the gregarious Clare and starts to fall apart. We lose all sympathy for this interloper for almost half the film and then we're supposed to feel sorry for her when the husband finds out at the end and goes bananas? Was this in the book I wonder?… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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