Synopsis:
Zola (Taylour Paige), a Detroit waitress, strikes up a new friendship with a customer, Stefani (Riley Keough), who seduces her to join a weekend of dancing and partying in Florida. What at first seems like a glamorous trip full of “hoeism” rapidly transforms into a 48-hour journey involving a nameless pimp, an idiot boyfriend, some Tampa gangsters and other unexpected adventures in this wild, see-it-to-believe-it tale.
As a person that advocates for “going with the flow”, I can tell you that it’s still important to be smart about it. Even when being spontaneous, you probably want to properly assess whatever situation or scenario you’re getting yourself into. It’s especially important when the situation involves people that you barely know. Your previous nights of spur-of-the-moment randomness may have gone perfectly but your next could become a catastrophe at any moment. Saying “no” is one of your most powerful assets. It doesn’t make you any less fun, it simply means you value yourself and your time. Are there times where you may regret saying, no? Of course, but I’d rather regret not doing something than the opposite.
“This is messy. You are messy…”
You better be careful who you trust in Janicza Bravo‘s Zola. Ripped straight from the 2015 viral Twitter thread of A’Ziah-Monae “Zola” King, the film is an outrageous cautionary tale that oddly enough is based on real events. As dark as the story is in hindsight, it’s told in a humorous and highly entertaining fashion. It’s filled with buns, guns, thugs, a pimp and a simp, and one of the worst and almost friendships of all time. Once you hear Zola say, “Y’all wanna hear a story about why me and this bitch here fell out? It’s kind of long, but it’s full of suspense.” strap in for a wild ride that you likely won’t forget. I was completely unfamiliar with the viral tweets but once I read them, it was easy to see why someone would want to bring them to life. With them being posted with such detail and personality, Bravo and company had a lot to work with and they did an amazing job crafting a fitting visual. The story is crazy, shocking, and almost unbelievable and of course, it takes place in Florida. Some parts were too graphic for them to put in the film therefore some artistic changes are made but the same emotions are conveyed.
To some this will be a pearl-clutching chronicle, to others it’s a regaling ratchet road trip, but to sex workers, this is a scary reality. Moreover, if the story had played out differently, Zola would reside in the horror genre. With its mix of absurdity, amazing storytelling, and a soundtrack that thumps perfectly along with the debauchery, you will be talking about this film for days; like how $8,000 is made in a night. Hoisted up by its terrific cast and direction, this is a summertime sleeper hit. I suggest seeing this with a friend or two because some scenes are so crazy, you’ll want someone to react with. I enjoyed Zola a great deal, it lives up to the hype. Its rewatchability is high.
Pacing & Pop
The pacing of the film is perfect. You get a tiny buffer in the beginning then it’s off to the races, I was fully enthralled. What really popped for me was the narration. It wasn’t constant, it was very subtle but it was hilarious within the context of the scenes. If what was going on wasn’t already outrageous, it added another level of entertainment.
Characters & Chemistry
This film was perfectly cast. The two standouts are Taylour Paige as Zola and Colman Domingo as X. Colman is able to really conceptualize what it means to be X. The switch from kind to angry and back again really shows how frightening and dangerous a person like that can be. Paige continues to impress with each role. She is every one of us if we were stuck in Zola’s situation. She delivers a performance that I feel only she can. Riley Keough as Stefani also shines. While the character is hella extra and annoying, Keough portrays her in a way that left me wondering whether or not she was a victim in the whole ordeal or if she’s a lot smarter than she lets on.
Zola is currently in theaters as of July 2, 2021. Stay safe and
Director: Janicza Bravo
Writers: Janicza Bravo, Jeremy O. Harris (co-writer), Based on Tweets by A’Ziah-Monae “Zola” King, Based on article by David Kushner
Producers: Killer Films, Gigi Films, Elizabeth Haggard, Vince Jolivette, Allison Rose Carter (co-producer),
Executive Producers: Jennifer Konawal, A’Ziah-Monae “Zola” King, David Kushner
Rated: R
Runtime: 1h 26m
Rating: 4 out of 5
Senior Critic. Observing the human race since 1988.
