The Forty-Year-Old Version

RADHAMUSPRIME is an awesome name for a woman approaching 40 deciding to become a rap artist.  Which happens in Radha Blank’s semi-autobiographical debut film THE FORTY-YEAR-OLD VERSION which screened during BlackStar Film Festival 2020 and won the U.S. Dramatic Competition Directing Award at the 2020 Sundance Film Festival.

Playwright Radha Blank was once a notable recipient of a “30 Under 30 Award, but somewhere along the way her 30’s didn’t turn out to be as promising as was predicted.  Now she’s approaching 40 in a few short weeks and feels a desperate need to do something with her stalled career.  She’s written a play about Harlem gentrification which she’s shopping around with the help of her GBFF from High School turned successful manager, Archie (Peter Y. Kim) who has far more high profile clients than Radha, but works hardest for her out of friendship and belief in her talents, yet she never seems appreciative.

Archie sets up an opportunity for her play to be added to the season of a highly regarded off-Broadway theater, run by Josh Whitman (Reed Birney) who she winds up not only insulting, but assaulting. Although, in a way you understand why, this theater is truly “The Great White Way” with old white, white haired patrons looking to assuage their white guilt by supporting “black art”.

Radha is also teaching theater to a group of youths in a very neighborhood-y type school. Where she’s gotta deal with teenage drama (not on stage) and has both male and female students hitting on her in ways that come just short of crossing the line.  Radha has affection for the kids, but at the same time she’s like, “you don’t pay me enough”.

The movie really takes shape once Radha feels she’s written enough rhymes to need some beats and reaches out to a Brownsville DJ named D (Oswin Benjamin), who gets paid in weed. The first track she records, is “Poverty Porn,” which reflects back on those supposed “woke” patrons of the arts, and the likes.  D plays it low-key but is impressed and surprised by both Radha’s words and style. Too bad when he gives her a chance to spit in front of an audience, she chokes.

The 40–Year–Old Version was produced by Lena Waithe and is shot almost entirely on 25mm, in black and white, by Cinematographer Eric Branco (Clemency). Although, when I look back at the movie in my mind, I see it in color. Rada is able to relatably capture the space she finds herself in, struggling for reinvention, grieving for her recently deceased mother, navigating a friendship that no longer fits her creatively, all while infusing humor and off-beat exchanges.  

 The 40-Year-Old Version will premiere on Netflix October 9, 2020

T&T @largeassmovieblogs rating: 4 outta 5