SELAH AND THE SPADES – A Review by John Strange
At first glance, Selah and The Spades appears to be just another boarding school druggy/murder cult/drama queen schlock-fest. And then you start watching the film. This film has similarities with those movies but lucky for us they are all inconsequential to the rather deep plot that Writer/Director Tayarisha Poe has crafted.
Other than the headmaster (Jesse Williams), the cast is mainly made up of the students of Haldwell who make up the various cliques within the school. The kids even have a counsel of sorts made up of the leaders of the groups, that meet to deal with the school’s proclamations and deal with their internal conflicts.
Each group is made up of a different type of student. Selah Summers (Lovie Simone), as head of the Spades, controls the alcohol and illicit pharmaceuticals (such as ADD meds used to help them study for finals). She is missing a trainee (a younger person who will inherit her leadership position when she graduates at the end of the year) and is searching for one.
Her second-in-command, her best friend Maxxie (Jharrel Jerome), is also her most trusted friend. He is by her side most of the time. Then a new student, Paloma (Celeste O’Connor), transfers in. She is a sophomore and new to the ins and outs of the school. She is quickly taken under Selah’s wing, soon becoming Selah’s protégée and possible successor.
The director’s shows very deft handling of the various groups and the intense political tension between these groups that are otherwise allied against the school and the administrators. The other members of the council chafe under Selah’s control but her personality and strength-of-will keep them doing, however unwilling they may be.
The story takes place over a relatively short period in the school year but Selah’s world-view changes as her world is disrupted by those closest to her. Further complications arise due to her relationship with her mother (Gina Torres) which may give us an insight into her particular drive for control and power.
The film surprised me with its depth. The characters are well written and portrayed with excellent precision by the young cast. The cinematography is first-rate. This is the first film set in a boarding school since 1991’s Toy Soldiers that I have truly enjoyed. Selah and The Spades gets a strong 5 Star rating from me!
Directed by: Tayarisha Poe
Cast: Lovie Simone, Celeste O’Connor, Jharrel Jerome, Jesse Williams, Gina Torres
MPAA Rating: R (for teen drug content, and language)
Selig Rating: 5 Stars
Runtime: 97 Min.
Opens: April 17 (Amazon Prime Video)
Movie Site: https://www.argentpictures.com/project/selahandthespades
The Selig Rating Scale:
5 Stars – Excellent movie, well worth the price.
4 Stars – Good movie
3 Stars – OK movie
2 Stars – No need to rush. Save it for a rainy day.
1 Star – Good that I saw it on the big screen but wish I hadn’t paid for it.
