Dayveon is a 2017 drama about a 13-year-old who spends the sweltering summer days roaming town in the aftermath of his older brother’s death.
Everything is stupid. So says young Dayveon (Devin Blackmon) as he pedals along a long country road in his Arkansas home. His brother Trevor has recently been shot dead in gang violence, leading Dayveon to ponder his own life, pulled by two influences, the local Bloods, with charismatic leader Mook (Lachion Buckingham) promising him a place in the chaos and his sister’s boyfriend Brian (Dontrell Bright), who tries to save the boy, showing him there is hope still in the world, though he might be too late. A heartbreaking, gritty, true-to-life experience, this Amman Abbasi directed film is a visually arresting, incredibly-well acted story that strikes with great impact, a backcountry counterpart to larger studio movies like Boyz n the Hood. It’s challenging and poignant and will haunt you well after it’s over.
THE LAST WORD
Deeply emotional and authentic, this is as beautiful to look as it is difficult to watch. Performances all around are achingly genuine, feeling like a real slice of life.
Filmed in old style 4:3 format and lacking a traditional score, it doesn’t play by conventional standards. The story is an old one, however, the setting is not and makes this a strong recommendation.