by Shane Conto, Staff Writer
What makes for a timely cinematic experience? Racial relations in our country are at a fever pitch (especially during the summer of 2020). There are many places where these implicit biases (and sometimes overt racism) come to the surface. One such place that might seem odd is a college campus. Generally, they are more diverse than many places in America and generally are more inclusive. But nowhere is perfect, especially when a place has deep-seated traditions and institutions; they are hard to change. I know… I work in higher education. An old traditional institution of higher education is the perfect setting for a filmmaker to experiment and expose these truths through cinema. That is what brings Mariama Diallo’s film Master to life.
What specific story does Diallo tell in this haunting film? This is really a tale of two women and their experiences at an old New England institution that is predominantly white. You have a young freshman named Jasmine (Zoe Renee). She was top in her class out in the middle of America, but now she was treading water in a whole different ocean. She is being harassed daily with racially charged artifacts. But something darker and sinister is underneath. Her only lifeline who might understand her, her professor named Liv (Amber Gray, a woman of color), is taking it extra hard on her. Then, Gail Bishop (Regina Hall) is named the first Black member of the Master class officers at the institution. But things are not so easy for her either, as she is surrounded by white faces who do not understand her. But also… something just doesn’t seem right about the group of people she is working closely with at the school.
But what is Diallo able to do with this thematically charged film? There are two things that really highlight the direction of the film. Subtlety. There is plenty of subtext that Diallo is working with, and she is using ambiguity throughout the film to build tension and intrigue. The film never fully plays its hand as it swirls with mystery. But that is certainly part of the point. It may frustrate some and not be fulfilling for others, but there is something bold and interesting in the way the film plays with its themes and its audience. Are there supernatural elements at work? Are these fever dreams? You never fully know. Then there is the atmosphere that Diallo creates. There is a foreboding nature that heightens the tension in almost every scene. The tone is dark and ominous which fits the darker and serious themes that the film is trying to tackle. This film challenges you at every turn. You might not know how to feel when a new revelation occurs but that is the reaction that the film is trying to get. As the film comes into its closing moments, it delivers something haunting and unnerving.
How does the duo of Renee and Hall elevate the film further? Renee is a young performer, which is needed for her to show plenty of emotion. The tortured scenes of strange visions call for fear and terror, which Renee delivers on in a meaningful way. Renee brings plenty of weight to the role and her raw emotion makes it so easy for the audience to connect with her. Then you have veteran talent like Hall to deliver a strong and commanding performance. She is a needy anchor to the film, but she finally gets to shine in a big way as the film comes to its close. Knocked down and disillusioned, she breaks free in a powerful tirade that lets Hall flex her acting chops.
But does Master offer up a satisfying experience worth your time over on Prime Video? That could be a tough call. The ambiguity creates a compelling and unique experience, but for those who need complete closure, this will frustrate. But if you are open to the idea of not getting every answer narratively, but having a fully engrossing experience from a thematic and atmospheric perspective, there is something special here.
Score: 8/10
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