Review: The Last Black Man in San Francisco (2019)

The Last Black Man in San Francisco (2019)

Another day at the movies in 2019, another day seeing a contender for best film of the year. The Last Black Man in San Francisco is that rare film that successfully combines the seasoned refinement of a Hollywood feature (though, remarkably, this is director/writer, Joe's Talbot, and writer/star, Jimmie Fail's, feature debuts) with the trappings of unique, genre-bending arthouse cinema.

The film follows Jimmie Fails (loosely based on the actor's life) as he contends with the immeasurable change that has overcome his hometown of San Francisco throughout the past twenty-plus years. Though it is not explicitly referenced, gentrification (and industrial modernization to an extent) seems to be the crucible of Jimmie's angst and frustration. In particular, is the house that Jimmie, and his family before him, grew up in. The house, which Jimmie's grandfather built with his two hands, is now the home of an affluent elderly white couple after the house was taken from Jimmie's family years earlier. When the opportunity arises, Jimmie, with the help of his friend, Montgomery (Jonathan Majors), take it upon theirselves to reclaim what is rightfully theirs.

As one can see, the film centres upon a number of social issues prevalent to any number of metropolitan cities of today, as well as, more generally-relevant hot-button topics. In addition to gentrification are themes of black, masculine, and black and masculine identity, environmental destruction, and family constructs. It is a testament to the writers that none of these issues are ever dissected with any admonishment or on-the-nose rhetoric. Instead, each is subtly interwoven into the stories of Jimmie, Montgomery and other side characters: Montgomery's grandfather (Danny Glover), Jimmie's father (Rob Morgan), Jimmie's aunt (Tichina Arnold), and a group of young black 'troublemakers' that hang outside the home of Mont's grandfather.

It is hard to discuss the film in-depth without spoiling some of the major plot developments or the original aesthetic that Talbot paints the entirety of the film with. The opening segment of the film itself is one of the most alluring and engrossing scenes I have seen in a long while and it sets a strong benchmark that the rest of the film remarkably lives up to. The cast is also equally astounding with relative-newcomers, Fails and Majors, providing the strongest and most compelling performances. The Last Black Man in San Francisco truly needs to be seen - not only for its important narrative about the direction of today's cities and society, but also as a showcase for a few of the most talented upcoming stars in cinema.