Many novels portray their worlds entirely through the perspective of their protagonists.
With the exception of a few shots, we see all of the events through their eyes.
There’s so much unlearning that everybody had to do, Ross tellsEntertainment Weekly.
Brandon Wilson and Ethan Herisse in ‘Nickel Boys’.Amazon studios
But for me, it was just learning, because this was my first fiction feature.
Its really, really beautiful.
I guess that’s what actors do, they figure out how to make it feel authentic.
Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor and director RaMell Ross on the set of ‘Nickel Boys’.L. Kasimu Harris/Amazon
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He also deployed first-person POV there, to add a dreamy quality to his portrayal of real life.
That challenge elevated the imagery and the concept to be even more humanistic.
Director RaMell Ross on the set of ‘Nickel Boys’.L. Kasimu Harris/Amazon
Some viewers walk out ofNickel Boysfeeling transcendent, like theyve seen a new possibility for how movies can work.
For others, the unique POV detracts from the weight of the source material.
Ross, for his part, appreciates the different reactions thatNickel Boysproduces.
He just wants people to know that we dont have to think of certain cinematic conventions as settled questions.
Cinema is very, very young, Ross says.
The film truly elicits a subjective response from each person.
I’m very happy with the range of reactions from folks.
How often do we really get to do that?
Nickel Boysis playing in limited release now in select cities.
