Sleight (2017)

Sleight (2017)

IMDB Rating : 6.0/10 (as on 04.05.2017)

R | 1h 29min | Action, Drama, Sci-Fi

A young street magician (Jacob Latimore) is left to care for his little sister after their parents passing, and turns to illegal activities to keep a roof over their heads. When he gets in too deep, his sister is kidnapped, and he is forced to use his magic and brilliant mind to save her.

Director: J.D. Dillard

Writers: J.D. Dillard (as Jd Dillard), Alex Theurer

Stars: Jacob Latimore, Seychelle Gabriel, Dulé Hill

IMDB link Here

Movie Rating ★★★☆☆  

Superhero story, tough coming of age mash-up

Katie Walsh  

In "Sleight," co-writer/director J.D. Dillard and co-writer/producer Alex Theurer have created an unlikely superhero origin story, executed with the style, themes and budget of independent cinema.

The magic is the setting and the soul of "Sleight," while the drugs offer stakes and danger to the story. At times, the drug subplot can feel a bit overwrought and inauthentic; as committed as Hill is, it's hard to buy him as the ruthless and cold-blooded Angelo, and the budget limitations are a bit clearer during those scenes.

But Dillard and Theurer pull off the most important thing in the film — the character and his journey. Latimore shines in this lead role, and "Sleight" is a star-making performance for this on-the-rise actor. The high stakes of his entanglement with Angelo force Bo out of his comfort zone, and he relies on his skill with magic to slide out of some sticky situations. However, it becomes far more than just an optical illusion, and as Bo pushes himself to the limit, he makes a breakthrough from the kind of sleight of hand magic to what seems to almost be real magic.

The film leaves the supernatural elements just ambiguous enough, only hinting around the edges at the possibilities of what could be. It's a smart move for a film that's grounded in a gritty reality about a kid struggling to make ends meet in a tough world that hasn't been fair to him. But the wisps of real magic that dance around the edges of "Sleight" imbue the film with a fresh, exciting dynamic.

In their feature film debut, Dillard and Theurer have efficiently utilized their resources to demonstrate a deft control of character and tone that leaves you wanting more from Bo's story, and curious about what the filmmakers could do with a bigger project. "Sleight" fuses superhero story with a tough coming-of-age tale, and it enlivens and elevates both genres into something new and different, while heralding the arrival of Latimore as a star.

 Read full review at Chicago Tribune

Magic tricks become shorthand for the power of personal transformation in JD Dillard’s modestly scaled thriller that’s equally an accessible domestic drama. Loaded with talent on both sides of the camera, Sleight displays the hallmarks of a potential indie crossover that stands to attract both niche and genre audiences alike.

Dillard and co-writer Alex Theurer’s script elevates a potentially prosaic redemption narrative by giving Bo distinctive skills that allow him to contend with the threats to his family and future. The screenwriters assume a risk by introducing Bo’s levitation device, which isn’t well substantiated until the final scenes, but manage to pull off their gambit by limiting his dependence on the apparatus and judiciously employing well-crafted special effects.

Latimore’s invested performance, alternating between brash streetwise arrogance and outright panic at Angelo’s ruthlessness, also boosts the believability factor as Bo struggles to avoid letting his talents overwhelm his judgment. Angelo never seems to break a sweat though, dealing decisively with both his own crew and his competitors in Hill’s apparently effortless performance. Gabriel also impresses with her sympathetic demeanor that’s partially obscured by Holly’s wounded personal history of abuse.

After developing his skills as a short film and music video director, Dillard’s auspicious shift to features reveals an imaginative young filmmaker prepared to take manageable risks in pursuit of his personal vision. With a preference for unconventional framing and camera angles, Dillard’s assertive visual style adeptly directs the viewer without calling undue attention to technique. With Sleight as a springboard, it will be interesting to see what he’ll be able to accomplish with a more expansive canvas to work with.

Read full review at Hollywood Reporter