Origin

9.5/10

Ava DuVernay's latest film Origin chronicles Isabel Wilkerson's research for her book Caste: the Origins of our Discontents, which looks at various examples of caste throughout the world, including slaver/Jim Crow laws, the Holocaust, and India's caste system, and how it underpins racism.

I only ended up seeing this because I took a chance on AMC's mystery movie, and I'm so glad I did. This is just a really well written film. You'd think a movie that is 60% a woman doing research and interviewing people could be slow and perhaps dull but this is an excellently paced affair with reliable dialogue.  

The subject matter is very moving and interesting. Usually a movie about racism focuses on how it affects a particular race/religion. Looking at the general aspect of it and shows the interrelations of humanity. This all results in a very emotional ending. 

The movie follows Wilkerson (played by King Richard's Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor) all of the way except for the occasional historical flashback. The focus wouldn't have worked if the script wasn't there and Wilkerson wasn't up to the performance. There's an understanding and strength to the author (who was dealing with personal struggles as well) that makes her very engaging. The cast is good all around including Reno 911/Claws' Niecy Nash as Wilkerson's cousin and The Punisher's Jon Bernthal as her husband.

At least part of this film appears to be shot on location in various parts of the globe, and I appreciate the effort.

If there are any nitpicks to this movie, it showcases the data of caste systems, but maybe there could've been more of a conclusion of how it all ties together and why the system occurs. Also, you do kinda get the feeling that the movie could only include the highlights of what was in the book and that there were other examples of caste that there wasn't time for.

Highly recommended. This is a very compelling work.