AFI FEST 2020: Really Love
afi fest 2020Angel Kristi Williams's feature directorial debut, Really Love, might not reinvent the romance genre but is an undeniably strong outing. Following a young inspiring artist named Isaiah (Kofi Siriboe) who has to balance his career with a blooming romance, the film is a passionate and intimate expression of Black love that is sure to charm the majority of audiences.
The charm found within the film's screenplay from Angel Kristi Williams and Felicia Pride is possibly the strongest element of the film. Whilst Really Love ultimately feels tied to the cliches and traditional ideas from the modern romance genre, the poetic nature of the screenplay is what still sucks the audience in and makes them care about the romance at the forefront. The screenplay thrives in its smaller more intimate moments of dialogue and the realistic, grounded expressions of love that ultimately connect to a deeper core of the human experience than a basic one dimensional romance.
This authentic expression of love is further enhanced by the performances from Kofi Siriboe and Yootha Wong-Loi-Sing. In an incredibly subtle matter, how these two actors fall in love feels genuine and honest. Neither actor needs a big scene of over-the-top emotional expression to connect with the audience, being able to give thoughtful and quiet performances that carry an equal amount of power than plenty of performances that are trying twice as hard. The chemistry is undeniable, which proves the power of the casting within the film.
Though the film ultimately lives and dies with the identity of a more basic romance, that isn't to say it is completely empty beyond this. Really Love starts to explore ideas of art and what it means to be an artist in the modern world, which gives the film enough substance to never feel disappointingly one dimensional. Whilst neither this conversation or the themes regarding the romance of the film will stick in the minds of audiences long after the runtime ends, it helps build to a viewing experience that is genuinely enjoyable and worthwhile, with the film never feeling like it is wasting the audience's time.
Really Love might not be the most complex or memorable films of the year but, as a romance, it stands as a strong addition to the genre, accomplishing exactly what it seeks to do with a poetic craft. With strong performances, a well rounded screenplay and overall sense of craft, Really Love is an easy recommendation for those looking to get lost in a beautiful modern romance even if it won't lead to any revelations.
