Director Nabil Elderkin uses his latest project, Gully, to skillfully lay out struggles men face in police patrolled neighborhoods, in one parent homes surrounded by gang violence and little inspiration.
Written by Marcus J. Guillory, Gully follows the lives of three young men: Jesse (Kelvin Harrison Jr.), Nicky (Charlie Plummer) and Calvin (Jacob Latimore). On May 2, the film was shown as part of day nine of the annual Tribeca Film Festival in NYC.
The best friends, navigate through the LA streets caring only about each other. By alternating between flashbacks and reality, Elderkin demonstrates how childhood traumas can effect present day decisions, mindsets and behaviors immediately as if both exist simultaneously. The film is a perfect example of the effect any level of violence can have on a child and shape their perspective on what it means to gain respect; and specifically for the three boys, what it means to be a man. Despite moments of temporary satisfaction from video games, drugs and extreme violence; these angsty adolescents are troubled, filled with rage and are constantly struggling to deal with reality.
Travis Scott makes an appearance, fitting in almost too well while adding a little humor (much needed).
With very little light at the end of the tunnel, the protagonists toil with mental health issues, sexual abuse, teenage fatherhood and more. The quick pace of the movie accompanied by thoughtful, seamless editing and Terrence Howard’s soothsayer character; made for an emotional 84 minutes experience.
