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Parents' Guide to

Residue

By Alistair Lawrence, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 14+

Drama about impact of gentrification falls short; language.

Movie NR 2020 90 minutes
Residue Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this movie.

  • Residue Movie: Scene #1
  • Residue Movie: Scene #2
  • Residue Movie: Scene #3

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What's the Story?

RESIDUE is a drama about Jay (Obinna Nwachukwu), a filmmaker who returns from Los Angeles to his childhood neighborhood in Washington, D.C., to find that it is changing beyond recognition. Jay begins to explore the impact of gentrification on the local Black residents including his parents, childhood friends, and even Jay himself.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say: Not yet rated
Kids say: Not yet rated

This movie shifts into focus when it gives its characters room to reconnect and reminisce. But ultimately a few well-observed scenes can't compensate for the movie's shortcomings. A movie about a writer returning home so that he can write a movie about where he's from, Residue is a story within itself. Central character Jay's desire to document where he's from despite no longer wanting to live there is an interesting premise, and one that will resonate with anyone who fondly remembers where they grew up while at the same time feeling like they've grown apart from where they're from.

However, the debut feature from writer-director Merawi Gerima quickly shows itself to be heavy on thoughtful compositions, but lacking in characterisation and plot. The camera's lens is layered with effects during flashback sequences, while some camera angles deliberately frame scenes so they match the awkward, uneasy point of view with which the local Black residents see gentrification changing their neighborhood forever. It's effective at times, but also repetitive -- fireworks and other visual metaphors are over-used with diminishing returns. Jay is especially dull, with his mumbled dialogue and passive presence rendering Residue well-intentioned but lacking the creativity and impact of Blindspotting, which tackles similar subject matter in much more memorable fashion.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Familes can talk about how gentrification is portrayed in Residue. In what ways has Jay's neighborhood changed? Why does this create tension and problems? What are the pros and cons of gentrication? How would you feel if the place where you grew up was no longer recognizable to you?

  • Discuss the strong language used in the movie. How did you feel hearing some of the language used? Do you think this kind of language is needed to tell a story like this? If so, why?

  • Talk about the difference between how the Black characters and the White characters are portrayed. What do you think the movie is trying to say?

  • Discuss Jay's changing relationship with his family and friends. Why does Jay's ambition to make a movie about where he's from annoy some of them? Do you see both sides of the argument?

Movie Details

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