• Passing marks the directorial debut for Rebecca Hall. Hall is a proven actor (Vicky Christina Barcelona, The Prestige, The Town) as well as apparently being a talented director.
  • The story centers on two women: Irene (Tessa Thompson) and Clare (Ruth Negga) who grew up together. Clare has been passing (pretending to be white) and is married to a white racist John (Alexander Skarsgård). Clare comes back into the life of Irene (married to Andre Holland’s Brian).
  • a tighter 1.37 : 1 aspect ratio – shot in black and white.
  • The film features fabulous period costume work (especially beautiful hats- BlacKkKlansman and No Sudden Move costume designer Marci Rodgers) and production detail. Bill Camp plays a sort of friend of Thompson’s character. Both Negga and Thompson lead the way as far as acting (both superb here)- but I also admire the work ethic of Bill Camp. He is good in every film he is in, and this is his tenth (10th) archiveable film in the last ten years dating back to Lincoln in 2012. Like many actors turned directors there is a generous focus on the performances here- but do not mistake Hall’s work for something as ordinary as say George Clooney’s work as a director. There is more to Hall’s ability here.
  • Hall shows not only an eye for mise-en-scene and décor—but a formal visual motif- Thompson’s Irene is shot outside their Brownstone again and again throughout the film.
  • Hall moves the camera (tilts up to the sun) and manipulates camera photograph focus (soft focus for some quieter moments).
  • “We’re all of us passing for something or other”- the film even hints at some characters potential sexual orientation as well. There is a thoughtful discussion about life- and the choice between happiness and safety. It also mixes up Irene’s potential jealousy- a good character study.
  • Plays out like old black and white photographs, living and moving, set to jazz music—crisply monochrome and handsomely curated.
  • The overhead shot near the final moments of the film with the fallen body in the snow—a simulated crane shot lifting up.
  • Fade to white to end as the film does on occasion throughout
  • Hall has made a Recommend/ Highly Recommend or maybe even leaning Highly Recommend film in her debut- let us hope she chooses to direct again soon.