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Anne
B. Real, 2003, 90 minutes, Rated PG-13
By Ramona Prioleau
For
some, the command to "just do it" is an insensitive call to
action. For those, the better message is one of delicate encouragement
and unwavering support combined with the solitude necessary for
creation and self-motivation. In many respects, the seclusion that
begets preparation for an existence on a larger scale is similar to
the path followed by Cynthia (Janice Richardson), the dynamic life
force in the film Anne B. Real.
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Anne B. Real is the
coming of age tale from director and co-writer Lisa France that
captures Cynthia Gimenez's journey to self in an Upper Manhattan
community. At its core, Anne B. Real reflects Cynthia's teen angst and
subsequent self-actualization as she comes to terms with her beauty,
her identity and her distinctive voice. While Cynthia confronts issues
that are quite commonplace, she does so in an environment full of
social anxiety, sibling strife and economic distress, where her
relatives are deeply affected by the death of the family patriarch and
the destructive behavior of a prodigal son (Carlos Leon in a standout
performance as Juan).
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Amid
the melodrama, Cynthia has found a retreat and comfort in words - her
own as well as those of Anne Frank. Given The Diary of Anne Frank as a
young girl by her dad, Cynthia has read and reread the book so often
that the cover is worn and the pages are dog-eared. But it is in the
revealing and spirited diary of a young girl in hiding during World
War II that Cynthia finds the inspiration to write, to break free from
familial conflict and ultimately to claim her rightful place in the
spotlight and add her voice to the hip hop chorus.
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© 2003 Universal
(l.
to r.) Anne B. Real (Janice Richardson) battling Deuce (Eric Smith)
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That
Cynthia writes rhymes that a male "MC" records as his own
places the film in a political and historical context that sets Anne
B. Real apart from similar films. Before we all hailed the Queen,
female MCs "ghostwrote" plenty of lyrics for fellas.
Thankfully, in Anne B. Real, the filmmakers do not focus on the
dis'
dynamic of the MC battle that can establish
street credibility. That
ground has been well covered. While there is always room for savvy
illumination of a topic, in Anne B. Real, it would have obscured the
larger, more compelling character study. A study in which Cynthia's
creative process is paramount and in which the impetus, inspiration
and yearning to write and perform are cleverly explored.
Janice
Richardson's Cynthia leaps off the screen with engaging intensity and
vivacity. Young and old will recognize with familiarity the brooding
demeanor, aching uncertainty, characteristic isolation and occasional
silliness of one in the throes of adolescence. Director Lisa France
pulls an all around stellar performance from the cinematic ingénue
and Richardson's work hasn't gone unnoticed. Richardson's feature film
debut garnered Best Actress honors at the American Black Film Festival
and Urbanworld Film Festival in 2003.
M
November 2003
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