Naked Singularity is one of those movies you don't realize you're enjoying until you do. I know, sounds weird but I'm pretty certain I'm not the only one who's ever found themselves watching a movie that starts off pretty bare bones and simplistic, to the point where you're only paying it half of your attention. But somewhere between the likeable cast and the story that seems to be one thing but slowly becomes something else, you find yourself completely pulled into this world.
Starring John Boyega (Attack the Block, Star Wars Parts 7-9) as a young public defender whose big heart and disillusionment for the system he's forced to work inside of, gets him into trouble more often than not. One day he's requested to defend a past client Lea played by Olivia Cooke (Ready Player One, Sound of Metal) who has gotten herself in trouble once more, this time with possibly deadly consequences due to her relationship with small time drug dealer Craig (Ed Skrein - Deadpool, Game of Thrones) who wants her to use her job at the police impound lot to get a car out for him that has millions of dollars of drugs hidden inside it. With the help of his slimy but loveable friend Dane (Bill Skarsgard - It Chapters 1 & 2) they devise a plan to steal the car for themselves and hopefully not get killed in the process.
Now I know this synopsis makes it sound like a comedy heist type movie and on a certain level, this is what first time director and screen writer Chase Palmer is going for, but as a whole Naked Singularity is more wish fulfillment than anything else. It's about those dreams we have for a better life, if we had the money and the means to make them happen. Some of these characters like Dane and Lea want better lives for themselves, while Boyega's character Casi wants the chance to finally give the poor and down trodden people he represents in court, a real shot at fair justice. Take for instance his first case. He has to represent a Chinese man who doesn't speak any English and he's been detained for selling (of all things) batteries illegally. We're not talking car batteries here but simply the Duracell/Energizer ones. Because he doesn't speak the language this poor man doesn't know how to defend himself and because of this and a very apathetic judge played by Linda Lavin (The Good Wife/Alice) he's being kept in jail seemingly indefinitely. It's a case that's ridiculous as it is sadly true and due to Boyega's solid performance, the frustration and tiredness his character feels will resonate with you the viewer.
The first and second acts of this movie play almost like a straight up drama and sadly this may be to the movie's detriment. For those going in expecting Lucky Logan or Ocean's 11, this slow unfolding of events may allow for the characters to grow on you, but it also takes away from the energy needed to keep viewers invested. Thankfully Boyega anchors the movie well and you can tell his co-stars are feeding off what he's putting out. It might not be enough for most, but if you're anything like me and you stick it out to the final act, Naked Singularity sticks the landing and delivers the kind of wish fulfillment ending that makes watching movies worthwhile.
The title may sound like science fiction but the cosmic notion of one world where the good guys win is something we can all get behind and for that alone I'm recommending giving this one a go.
Starring John Boyega (Attack the Block, Star Wars Parts 7-9) as a young public defender whose big heart and disillusionment for the system he's forced to work inside of, gets him into trouble more often than not. One day he's requested to defend a past client Lea played by Olivia Cooke (Ready Player One, Sound of Metal) who has gotten herself in trouble once more, this time with possibly deadly consequences due to her relationship with small time drug dealer Craig (Ed Skrein - Deadpool, Game of Thrones) who wants her to use her job at the police impound lot to get a car out for him that has millions of dollars of drugs hidden inside it. With the help of his slimy but loveable friend Dane (Bill Skarsgard - It Chapters 1 & 2) they devise a plan to steal the car for themselves and hopefully not get killed in the process.
Now I know this synopsis makes it sound like a comedy heist type movie and on a certain level, this is what first time director and screen writer Chase Palmer is going for, but as a whole Naked Singularity is more wish fulfillment than anything else. It's about those dreams we have for a better life, if we had the money and the means to make them happen. Some of these characters like Dane and Lea want better lives for themselves, while Boyega's character Casi wants the chance to finally give the poor and down trodden people he represents in court, a real shot at fair justice. Take for instance his first case. He has to represent a Chinese man who doesn't speak any English and he's been detained for selling (of all things) batteries illegally. We're not talking car batteries here but simply the Duracell/Energizer ones. Because he doesn't speak the language this poor man doesn't know how to defend himself and because of this and a very apathetic judge played by Linda Lavin (The Good Wife/Alice) he's being kept in jail seemingly indefinitely. It's a case that's ridiculous as it is sadly true and due to Boyega's solid performance, the frustration and tiredness his character feels will resonate with you the viewer.
The first and second acts of this movie play almost like a straight up drama and sadly this may be to the movie's detriment. For those going in expecting Lucky Logan or Ocean's 11, this slow unfolding of events may allow for the characters to grow on you, but it also takes away from the energy needed to keep viewers invested. Thankfully Boyega anchors the movie well and you can tell his co-stars are feeding off what he's putting out. It might not be enough for most, but if you're anything like me and you stick it out to the final act, Naked Singularity sticks the landing and delivers the kind of wish fulfillment ending that makes watching movies worthwhile.
The title may sound like science fiction but the cosmic notion of one world where the good guys win is something we can all get behind and for that alone I'm recommending giving this one a go.