The Forty-Year-Old Version

Netflix | Release Date: October 2, 2020

6.6	USER SCORE Generally favorable reviews based on 42 Ratings

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RobertJamesOct 10, 2020

Nothing but love for this. So truthful, so honest. Too honest for some obviously. Glad I found this. Everyone who got a heart and soul will find something here. This is poetry in motion. Hope there will be a sequel and we can see where theNothing but love for this. So truthful, so honest. Too honest for some obviously. Glad I found this. Everyone who got a heart and soul will find something here. This is poetry in motion. Hope there will be a sequel and we can see where the journey takes her! That would be great! Brilliant on every level! Watch it!… Expand

3 of 8 users found this helpful35

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Stream2BigScreeOct 11, 2020

Sometimes there are films that come along that are surprising in how unassuming and effortless they are. This weekend a great “indie” comedy from a star-in-the-making, Radha Blank, is just that type of movie premiered on Netflix. It is calledSometimes there are films that come along that are surprising in how unassuming and effortless they are. This weekend a great “indie” comedy from a star-in-the-making, Radha Blank, is just that type of movie premiered on Netflix. It is called The Forty-Year-Old Version, and it was written, directed and stars Blank.

Although The Forty-Year-Old Version is her first feature film, Blank know exactly what this movie is about and how best to present it. She should since she has her hand in each pot and it seems autobiographical as well. In the film, Blank plays a character named Radha, who was once a promising, up-and-coming playwright in New York but her career has stalled, and now she’s knocking on forty. Radha struggles to get her plays produced and otherwise makes her rent by teaching a rowdy group of high school students about theater. One night, Radha unlocks what’s been stifling her creatively by spitting some raw rhymes and she decides she going to be a forty-year-old woman making a mixtape – seriously.

What is evident is that Blank knows New York and loves her corner of the city. Shot in black and white, the film has a feel of early Spike Lee. There is so much attitude and just cool, bravado that bursts through the screen. Blank portrays all of the funny moments well and there’s emotional depth too as she deals with getting older, loss and self-doubt. Some of the best scenes are when Radha is freestyling with a lot of gusto and wit. The themes that flow through about artistic vision, taking chances, and the temptation to compromise are handled well and make this funny film poignant.

I have a minor quibble about one subplot that I feel is unnecessary. I don’t begrudge it in the movie and I won’t spoil it here. If it is cut from the film, it would only be about 5 minutes, so it’s not that distracting and doesn’t ultimately detract from the enjoyment of the whole.

There is no reason not to watch The Forty-Year-Old Version. Get your box of popcorn and start this film now.… Expand

1 of 5 users found this helpful14

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bertobellamyOct 11, 2020

The Forty-Year-Old Version is a loose autobiography that successfully avoids an egotistical exercise. By using hip hop as a rediscovery tool, Radha Blank conceives an honest and highly comical film that channels Woody Allen and Spike Lee.The Forty-Year-Old Version is a loose autobiography that successfully avoids an egotistical exercise. By using hip hop as a rediscovery tool, Radha Blank conceives an honest and highly comical film that channels Woody Allen and Spike Lee. Blank emerges as a new narrative force to be reckoned with.… Expand

0 of 4 users found this helpful04

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Brent_MarchantMar 1, 2021

When a 39-year-old playwright's career has woefully stalled for a decade, what does she do to get it back on track before turning 40? She decides to reinvent herself and become a rapper, one whose works reflect the views of a 40-year-oldWhen a 39-year-old playwright's career has woefully stalled for a decade, what does she do to get it back on track before turning 40? She decides to reinvent herself and become a rapper, one whose works reflect the views of a 40-year-old plus-size single Black woman struggling to get by -- and with hilarious (and I do mean hilarious) results at that. The debut feature from writer-actor-director Radha Blank is one of the most refreshingly honest comedies to come along in quite some time, serving up big laughs throughout its two-hour runtime while simultaneously offering poignant insights about the New York arts community, society at large, being authentic and growing older. The narrative becomes admittedly a little stretched out in the second hour, but, with everything else it has to offer, who cares? Sensitive viewers are cautioned that the salty language in this one is enough to make a sailor blush, but it only serves to make the laughs even bigger throughout. Blank is off to a tremendous start with this project; let's hope she keeps it up in future releases.… Expand