Sheldon Candis’s Sundance Grand Jury Prize nominee is really rather good, despite a glaring glitch. Expertly cast, LUV boasts Danny Glover, Michael K. Williams and Dennis Haysbert: an impressive feat for an indie of this size. A coming of age story set in Baltimore, it contains several surreal elements that may well bear some resemblance to the recent work of Terrence Malick. 

A young boy, Woody (Michael Rainey Jr.) and his ex-convict uncle Vincent (Common) drive around in an attempt to pull money together to fund a seafood house. Despite a shady past and a stint in prison, Vincent has cleaned up his act and is determined to go legit. That is, until he realizes he can fund his seafood house by performing a few more dodgy favours for dubious friends….

 

Michael Rainey Jr. delivers a polished performance beyond his own years. Convincing child actors are few and far between; kudos to Candis for spotting such a gifted young man for the lead role.

 

The weight of the film rests on Rainey Jr.’s shoulders, yet the boy never missteps a line: his hero’s transformation by the end of the picture highlights the actor’s effortless versatility. Will he continue to receive roles in bigger and better films that challenge his acting instincts further, or will he melt into obscurity? 

 

 

 

Sadly, the primary problem with this indie flick is Nuno Malo’s score: ambient, electronic, dreamy...and ultimately indulgent, like many other contemporary indie scores. Malo’s music pervades the entire picture, awkwardly thrusting itself into scenes where it is clearly extraneous. This is the picture’s one faux pas, and it very nearly destroys its powerful poignancy. 

 

Thankfully, the talents of its two leads are still accomplished enough to make one ignore the lackluster musical arrangements and focus on the gritty narrative. 

 

Good effort, Mr. Candis.

 

 

 

Stars - ★★★