The Obituary of Tunde Johnson

Whatever the director was thinking, it stayed in his head. For the rest of us, we watch a movie that flashes with greatness, shows potential, and leaves us with Meh, whatever.

I enjoyed most of the story, sometimes the main character is a bit frustrating not to learn from his situation, but your drawn into his life and looking at possibilities. Then the director wants to end it all artsy and you're left with "that's it?".

I've seen a lot of "groundhog" day movies. Some I really liked, some not and some of them I just liked the first time. Most of them were funny and I surely mourned the dead.

But I was never so attached. I've never been as distressed and sad about every single dead and I've never been so scarred for the upcoming even I knew it comes.

I'm shocked and I'm so so sorry.

This movie is great at evoking moods. That, plus the interesting characters, pulled me right in. Steven Silver gives a powerful and affecting performance as Tunde.

In the account of Tunde Johnson, a wealthy Nigerian-American youth, tragedy strikes when he is fatally shot by the police during a routine traffic stop. Yet, his demise is not final, as he finds himself ensnared in a perplexing time loop, condemned to relive the day of his untimely demise repeatedly. This ordeal compels Tunde to confront profound truths about his existence and grapple with the complexities of his identity.

Despite the weighty themes of racism and police brutality, the narrative execution falls short of its potential. While the portrayal of the interracial gay relationship between Tunde and Soren is commendable, the story's delivery lacks the gripping tension necessary to convey its message effectively. The cast, including Spencer Neville as Soren and Nicola Peltz as Marley, delivers solid performances, but the overall impact of the film feels somewhat squandered.

This timely film courageously addresses multiple issues: racial profiling, homophobia, police brutality, drug addiction, mental health and more. The 'time loop' structure can seem tiresome after awhile, however, each time we come back to a familiar scene it is presented in a refreshing way. I highly recommend this film!