Imperial Dreams

This movie is something I haven't seen since the 90's. This genre of movie started with Boyz 'n the Hood and continued with Menace to Society, South Central, Juice and others. They were movies that chronicled the gritty and real life of the hood.

This movie, like its predecessors, is so bitter sweet. It's bitter because of the morose almost hopeless nature of the film that just weighs heavily on your conscious and your heart. But it's sweet because it was done so well... almost too well.

This is a movie that I have to be in the proper mood to watch. This is not a movie for mindless entertainment. No, I have to mentally and emotionally prepare myself for what I'm about to see. I have to do mental and emotional exercises because it's that heavy.

For those who are unaware of the difficulty of an ex-con trying to reform and go straight then watch Imperial Dreams. Bambi (John Boyega) is a felon that wants to now lead a normal life raising his son. He's met with one social or legal obstacle after the other in his daily struggle to be right and do right. It is an emotional roller coaster for the viewer as you witness his daily grind.

Boyega was good. Glenn Plummer--playing Bambi's uncle and no stranger to these types of movies--was fantastic. The script and plot was fairly simple but so poignant. Like I said, a heavy movie, so please sit in a reinforced seat before watching.

Watched Imperial Dreams Featuring John Boyega(The Whale) as Bambi , Rotimi Akinosho(Divergent) as Wayne , Keke Palmer(Joyful Noise) as Samaara, Glenn Plummer(Sons Of Anarchy) as Uncle Shrimp,De'Aundre Bonds(Gangster Squad) as Gideon ,Sufe Bradshaw(Bones) as Detective Gill, Jernard Banks(The Hangover) as Cornell, Nora Zehetner(The Brothers Bloom) as Janine, Anika Noni Rose(Half Of A Yellow Sun) as Miss Price, Maxmiliano Hernandez(Sicario) as Detective Hernandez . also Amazing Performance once again from Boyega .This was a great Drama also got perspective on life in the Hood also its not Easy to change your stripes if your from the projects but it was cool he tried live and Honest life despite his rough upbringing Great Perspective On Life in The Streets.Amazing Producing from Jonathan Schwartz(The Way Back) , Score By Flying Lotus(Cove Road), Costume Design By Chasia Johnson(Walk This Way) & Chasia Kwane ,Cinematography By Monika Lenczewska(Difret) ,Screenplay & Direction By Malik Vitthal(Watts And Volts) Great Perspective On Life in The Streets 9/10

Saw this at the Leiden film festival 2014 (LIFF), where is was selected as part of the American Indie Competition. It offers a depressing view on what an ex-convict can expect immediately after his release. He can try to choose for an honest future, but all circumstances work against such a resolution. It is too easy to fall back on less honest work that however brings easy money on the short term. All the people around him, be it his wife, uncle, or mother, make it very difficult to stay on the right track. All this is demonstrated very well. We soon get the feeling what his dilemma's are all about.

I have only one minus point, but relatively trivial. The relationship between father and son is heart warming and powerful, but I have my doubts it's for real: normally a son would soon be fed up with moving around, and he should have protested at least once. I'm not sure this is realistic.

The actors performed very well and were convincing in their respective roles, even the less sympathetic ones were allowed to grow on us. Recidivism is is very well explained. From our comfy chair we can easily talk about starting with a clean slate, to continue along the line of the fresh starting position offered after being released from prison. The circumstances, however, do not always cooperate. Showing this in itself is a major contribution of this movie. It presented us a window on a part of society outside our view.

This scintillating exploration of the societal hurdles faced by castigated members of society is superbly acted, well filmed, and an outstanding directorial debut by Malik Vittel. Starring future star British actor John Boyega in a sublime performance, the cast perfectly projects the near futility of trying to break out of our own caste system. Like an updated version of Boyz n the Hood, this film accurately portrays life in it's on-location setting in the projects of Los Angeles. A must see, and a lesson in how well-made a small-budget indie film can be. Those fortunate enough to have viewed the film will readily understand why it took the Audience Award in the NEXT competition at a Sundance.

Didn't know what to expect with this. Just saw Boyega doing a drama and thought of giving this a watch. I don't live in the same world as Bambi, so I wouldn't know what it is really like to be in his shoes. But I assume the writers knew what its like, and wow, my mind was shook. What a sad reality it can be for someone like Bambi. The system was created to fail people and it takes a lot for someone to rise above it all to find some peace and ultimately life away from crime.

This is a slow burn, but a wonderfully crafted film, probably a hint of reality and Bambi is a reflection of this life.

The only thing that irks me with this film is the supporting casts. While Boyega was amazing as Bambi, the rest was just floating by.