Blackbird
Earnest but awkward coming-out story has edgy content.
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Blackbird
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A Lot or a Little?
The parents' guide to what's in this movie.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that Blackbird is a coming-of-age drama about a gay, black, Christian teen in Mississippi. Plot elements/themes include a missing teen, arguing, slapping, virginity loss, and references to abortion and suicide. Teens think and talk about sex frequently. The main character has erotic dreams about kissing and having sex with boys; he experiences "nocturnal emissions" (a shot of semen is shown). He also kisses a boy while awake. Language is very strong, though it's used in just a few scenes; viewers will hear "f--k," "s--t," and "c--k" in various permutations. There's also a brief, possible drug appearance, when a teen smokes a brown cigarette that could be pot. The movie is awkward but earnest, and it might be helpful to older teens in similar situations.
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What's the Story?
Seventeen-year-old Randy Rousseau (Julian Walker) is a Christian who sings in his church choir but can't stop having sexy dreams about boys. His friends decide to put on a gay, musical Romeo & Juliet for the school play, with Randy as Romeo, and his friends start to catch on as he sings longingly to his male co-star. Things get more complicated when Randy auditions for a student film that requires him to play a gay character; his gay, white co-star falls in love with him and starts flirting. Meanwhile, Randy's mother (Mo'Nique) has gone nearly mad with grief over her missing daughter, Randy's sister. Randy keeps praying for guidance, but what will happen when his mother discovers his true passions?
Is It Any Good?
Blackbird is as far from truth as it can possibly be; it's more like an after-school special. One of the characters in BLACKBIRD talks to Randy about wanting to make movies about truth like John Cassavetes did; Randy is even seen reading a book about Cassavetes. Unfortunately, director/co-writer Patrik-Ian Polk shows no familiarity with that legendary director's work.
The drama here is supremely awkward, forced, and amateurish, from the first moments of badly lip-synced singing to the final moments of unearned, coincidental triumph. Characters never seem to connect and can never get beyond the feeling that they're merely reading dialogue at each other. Not even an Oscar-winner like Mo'Nique or a powerful actor like Isaiah Washington can rise above their pedestrian moments. Still, the movie is very earnest and might have been helpful for young, struggling teens like Randy -- if not for the fact that it has so much strong language and drug- and sex-related content.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about Blackbird's depiction of teen sex. How much sex is shown, and how much is implied? Do you think all of it was necessary for the story?
Why do you think it's so important for the teen characters that they lose their virginity? Parents, talk to your teens about your own values regarding sex and relationships.
How is the gay character's coming out handled? How do his friends react? How do his parents react? His pastor? What role do his race and faith play in the experience?
Movie Details
- In theaters: April 24, 2015
- On DVD or streaming: August 4, 2015
- Cast: Mo'Nique, Isaiah Washington, Julian Walker
- Director: Patrik-Ian Polk
- Studio: RLJ Entertainment
- Genre: Drama
- Topics: High School
- Run time: 99 minutes
- MPAA rating: R
- MPAA explanation: sexual content, language and some drug use - all involving teens
- Last updated: March 21, 2023
For kids who love drama
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