Goldie
By Tara McNamara,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Spirited main character shines in bleak, mature drama.
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Goldie
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What's the Story?
In GOLDIE, Goldie (Slick Woods) is an 18-year-old on the brink of getting her first shot at being a dancer in a music video. But when her mother is arrested and child services makes plans to take her siblings into custody, Goldie goes on the run with her little sisters while still working toward her dream. She believes that fame and money will soon follow.
Is It Any Good?
Woods makes an unforgettable impression in her feature debut in this spunky, if not necessarily enjoyable, coming-of-age drama. She makes us feel like we've never seen a character like Goldie -- even though movies are full of young women who find themselves struggling in difficult circumstances. Woods isn't just a fresh face; she has an original look, and she's absolutely captivating. Even when Goldie is making terrible decisions, you can't help rooting for her.
That's to the credit of Norwegian writer-director Sam de Jong, who punches up an otherwise too depressing story with a constant reminder of childhood exuberance and optimism. Goldie is buoyed by her two sisters, 12-year-old Supreme (Jazmyn C. Dorsey) and 8-year-old Sherrie (Alanna Renee Tyler-Tompkins), whose presence is always felt even when they're not on-screen. The film is broken into chapters, with the titles announced by the young girls' voices. Chalk-type animations pepper the chapter titles, images, and Goldie's dreams -- which helps bring out Goldie's childish thought patterns. The animations remind us that, despite her savvy, tough exterior, Goldie is still the bouncy girl viewers met at the beginning of the film. Just days later, she's grown into a mature, young woman. In theory, it's progress, but her forced projection into adulthood rips open your heart as an absolute tragedy.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the impact that poverty has on the characters in Goldie. Why do Goldie and her mother sell drugs when they know the dire consequences they face if caught? Are drugs and/or drinking glamorized?
Talk about the plot device of kids who are wiser than their parents. Why do you think we see this so frequently? What do you think is the impact of repeatedly seeing this parent-child relationship in the media?
How is this movie similar to a novel? What literary devices are employed? What does the canary-colored coat symbolize?
Does the movie have a message or takeaway?
Movie Details
- In theaters: February 21, 2020
- On DVD or streaming: April 14, 2020
- Cast: Slick Woods, George Sample III, Marsha Stephanie Blake
- Director: Sam de Jong
- Inclusion Information: Black actors
- Studio: Film Movement
- Genre: Drama
- Topics: Brothers and Sisters
- Character Strengths: Perseverance
- Run time: 88 minutes
- MPAA rating: NR
- Last updated: January 5, 2023
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