The Harder They Fall (2021)

(Netflix Streaming, May 2022) I compile my lists of films to see from various sources, so you won’t be surprised to learn that the NAACP Image Awards are on my radar, and that seeing The Harder They Fall became a priority when it won this year’s award for Outstanding Motion Picture. It did not disappoint: A predominantly-black cast western directed with style and energy, it’s fun to watch even in its excesses. Pleasantly militant (as per the opening title cards: “While the events of this story are fictional… These. People. Existed.”), it peers at history to resuscitate black historical Western figures and has them go on an adventure as explosive as anything else in the genre. The ensemble cast is nothing short of terrific, with notables such as Jonathan Majors, Idris Elba, Zazie Beetz, Regina King, Delroy Lindo and Lakeith Stanfield holding their own on-screen. While the story is standard action western material, it’s given a kick in the pants thanks to writer-director Jeymes Samuel’s aggressive style, an incredible modern soundtrack, and several touches of well-placed humour. (The visit to “a white town” is visually very funny.)  A terrific sense of cool permeates everything in the film, as if every scene had been optimized to get viewers primed for more. Where The Harder They Fall loses me somewhat is in the excessive amount of violence and gore, none of it essential to the impact of the film and in fact even detrimental to it – I think the film could have been a more accessible PG-13 by removing the needless blood. Still, there’s no denying the appeal of the result – including a terrific hand-to-hand fight sequence featuring Beetz and King. It’s sure-fire entertainment for audiences willing to tolerate its gratuitous violence. The final shot promises a sequel – I’ll be there.