It’s rare for a movie to be both hilarious and also deeply, emotionally affecting. But Blindspotting hits those marks with equal measure. Actor/writer Daveed Diggs has written a script that crackles with wit and humor, and director Carlos Lopez Estrada moves us through this story, and through the city of Oakland, with blazing ferocity and ambition. It’s a joy to watch, really. Supremely entertaining while also sharply socio-politically conscious.
Lead actors (and real lifelong friends) Daveed Diggs and Rafael Casal shine in their roles. You can tell that there’s actual history in their friendship and in the portrayal of their home town. It makes for an extremely engaging story, and it’s downright funny along the way. But there’s not just humor. There’s a deep well of pain and anger as these two men struggle to deal with the outside forces that control their lives, while trying to figure out how much they actually control.
The end of this movie really drives home all the commentary they’ve been presenting throughout the film. It’s highlighted by a particularly incredible performance by Daveed Diggs that stopped me in my tracks and left me with my mouth hanging open. It might be enough to elevate this film to the next level. I’ll have to watch this again. I WANT to watch this again. It seems like the type of movie that could sustain multiple viewings, and get better and better with time. Man, what a surprising, unique movie.