John Boyega has certainly come a long way in a short time. Appearing in ATTACK THE BLOCK just ten years ago he went on to star as Fin in STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS and then PACIFIC RIM: UPRISING. Now he’s featured in the lead role in NAKED SINGULARITY based on the novel of the same name by Sergio de la Pava.
Boyega stars as Casi, an idealistic young public defender who is feeling the weight of the world when it comes to the justice system. Rather than finding ways to help those arrested and facing charges the system simply moves along as usual, a machine that chews up and spits out people in a never ending cycle. Casi still believes there is hope and pushes for that, in particular when he appears before Judge Cymbeline (Linda Lavin). The end result is his being chastised by her.
Casi is requested by a fellow PD named Dane (Bill Skarsgard) to take over a case he was handed at the request of that defendant. Her name is Lea (Olivia Cooke) and Casi handled a pervious case involving her. Lea works at the city’s car impound and a criminal named Craig (Ed Skrein) has involved her in a scheme. A care in the lot has millions in heroin stashed in it. He needs her to help identify when it will go on the auction block so he can buy it there and sell the drugs to someone known as the Golem. She was picked up checking it out and had a minor amount of drugs on her. She needs Casi to help her negotiate a deal so she faces no jail time and can get out that night.
Casio negotiates the deal with two drug officers. In return for helping them set up the partner who forced himself on her, she gets to walk free. But Lea longs for a better life away from this city, a life where she isn’t beholden to anyone. She agrees but makes plans of her own.
In another court case Casi finally loses it in front of Judge Cymbeline and is given 6 months leave of absence. Dejected, fed up with the system he goes home. Talking to his neighbor Angus (Tim Blake Nelson) he listens as he talks about a warp in time and space that is coming. He helps Casi to recognize a singularity. Things within a black hole are sucked in and gradually crush themselves due to gravity. Casi sees the justice system as behaving the same way, collapsing in itself of its own weight and inability to change itself. But perhaps it can be changed from outside.
As Casi learns more about Lea and what her plans are he discusses it with his friend Dane. Dane in turn realizes that this is an opportunity that the pair can’t pass up. Knowing all sides involved and what is to happen, the two of them can not only steal the money from the crooks they can make sure the drugs never hit the streets. But to make this happen Casi will have to break the law that he’s spent his entire life so far standing up for. In addition to that he’s developed a sense of duty to Lea to insure that she has that second chance so many never get.
The movie is a perfect vehicle for Boyega. He’s starred in some spectacle films for sure but this film gives him a chance to act in a more straight forward drama. He proves his abilities with ease. At times while watching the film I was reminded of a young Denzel Washington at the top of his game. This film is sure to earn him fans and I for one hope to see him do more. Cooke also shines here in a role that would be spare for some but that she gives life to. By the end of the film Casi isn’t the only one who wants a better life for her, we the viewer do too.
This is the first film for director Chase Palmer and he does a fine job. The story is clear, the pacing is exceptional and the camera movement well thought out. The fact that he combines all of this with terrific performances shows he’s someone to watch.
There are good heist films and bad ones. This is a good one. On top of that it presents a view of the justice system that few are willing to talk about. That’s a system called the justice system that doesn’t actually provide justice, just a system that handles those who need it. Maybe this will make some think twice about that.
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