Selah and the Spades
AMAZONFrom the outset of Selah and the Spades, it’s clear this isn’t your typical high-school film. A brief narrated section serves as exposition before we’re told the story will go in another direction. It’s a bold opening move from Tayarisha Poe, a Philadelphia native making her feature-length debut; unfortunately, it hinders the project substantially.
Haldwell Academy is the setting, an isolated boarding school in which the students run the game. They are split into five factions, with each one being responsible for a different aspect of school life. The titular character (played by Lovie Simone) and her organisation are involved in the drug trade, providing substances for illegal parties thrown by the other factions. With each boss approaching the end of their tenure, succession plans are being laid out, but Selah is the only one without an heir. Enter Paloma (Celeste O’Connor), a new student who initially seems uninterested in politics, but grows close to Selah after photographing her for the school newspaper.
As previously mentioned, the film lays out the path it plans to follow; instead of depicting the inner workings of the factions, it clings onto Selah at every opportunity – an elusive character who exudes a quiet authority. Though she possesses niggling worries about what the future might hold, she is dedicated to the cause, with her asexuality refreshingly being treated as a trait she completely owns rather than a shortcoming.
Unfortunately, this devotion to the lead character means the world seems awfully vague. With a brief introductory overview being the only information provided, the school itself and the system of operations are woefully underdeveloped, making it difficult to remember the significance of each faction. This in turn means much riper subject matter is neglected; the design of these gangs can obviously relate to high-school cliques or criminal gangs, but these avenues aren't explored any further than the actual conceit. Jesse Williams is given very little to do as the principal, whilst side characters are essentially faceless because it’s unclear what purpose they serve.
Similarly, the visuals are inconsistent, ranging from sumptuous lighting to cluttered framing, creating a clashing of tones that never feels fully resolved. Coupled with the lack of a wider scope, a perplexing effect is created wherein the visuals don’t always align with the pacing of the film. It’s hard to see if Amazon has had any impact since acquiring the rights following the premiere at Sundance Festival in 2019, but the subsequent rumours of a television adaptation is surely an acknowledgement that the film isn’t detailed enough.
This format seems a much better fit, allowing Poe to flesh-out both the world and characters. With solid performances by Simone, O’Connor and Jharrel Jerome (as Selah’s right-hand man Maxxie), the foundations are in place for an interesting project, with Poe’s job being made easier by using this as a trial-run. If this option isn’t taken up, then Selah and the Spades will remain squandered potential, remaining just as distant as its lead character.