TIFF movie review: The Inspection
Thank you to my partners at A24 for the chance to screen The Inspection.
Before we jump into my thoughts on this film I want to first introduce a new layer to this site. If you’ve followed along, you’d know I’ve had the honor of interviewing Latina Creators at every level (including the cast Disney’s Encanto). While we will still talk to our fair share of leading Latinas, I will be opening up the discussions to include films that explore intersectional-identities.
What are intersectional-identities? It’s living as a walking paradox—the ability to hold two (often opposing) ideals/identities as your truth. For example, I am a Latina. I am also white. I am subject to discrimination, as well as privilege. To acknowledge these truths is often confusing for others, but that is why when we show up as our authentic-selves we give the world an opportunity to embrace and understand us. In the same way that Latinas can also be black, one identity is not an erasure of the other. Not only is it not an erasure it is our great connector, because spoiler alert: we are all the same. That’s literally the point here—to call out that which connects us in the dark and in the light so that we may all have a better chance at living a human existence. And so, it is with great pleasure that we begin to take a step back together and observe the ways in which art is a perfect reflection for every identity.
The Inspection, starring Jeremy Pope, is a film about Elegance Bratton’s life as a gay black marine during the ‘don’t ask don’t’ tell era. If his mere existence wasn’t difficult enough, his biggest battle would be the one to gain and maintain his mothers love and approval—played by the truly transformed Gabrielle Union.
I can’t speak highly enough about this film. Every single shot felt intentional and meaningful to the overall arc. We witness humanity at its best and worst all in under 2 hours. It was an “easy” watch, in the sense that while the subject matter and situations were often tough and uncomfortable to endure they never seemed overdone.
The thing you want to see as a film goer is most often a joyful-ending. And while we may not get all rainbows and sunshine, to see Elegance walk out on that stage after the screening (with his fashionable partner by his side) was the BEST continuation of the story one could hope for. To know this man was a fighter, and an artist, whose visionary work made it to the world was just the tops.
In the end, A26 invited me to an after party where I was able to chat with THE Gabrielle Union about her role.
Not only did I speak with Gabrielle, but I witnessed her publicist show her a headline teasing Oscars buzz. I positioned myself as a literal fly on the wall while I watched her settle into the bar we were both at. As she placed her purse on the table next to my phone the journalist I’d sat next to during the screening rushed up and started singing her praises (as he should) and regaling about the audiences reactions. The next person to rush up was her publicist wide-eyed with the most genuine smile, her phone read: Gabrielle Union gives Oscars-worthy performance in The Inspection. The words washed over her, and Gabby’s already beaming aura seemed to float up and out of her. She took a moment to sit with it, and gave her hubby Dwayne Wade the most restful-embrace—the ‘I did that’ hug. After another big breath she went to reach for her purse and said to me, “thank you for not interrupting”.
I took the chance to tell her, “of course—you need to just take it all in, your performance was incredible”! I went on to explain that I was invited by the studio and didn’t get to secure the interview, but since I had her ear I said, “I couldn’t help but see the Oscars headline (she nodded in agreement and disbelief), what do you want to say to the parents of who are having a hard time accepting their children?” Her reply:
“It’s not a choice to love your children…it’s a privileged.”
She paused.
“You know, this role is very personal to me and my family (looks over at Dwayne), even in our own family we have those who don’t, can’t, accept and it’s just…”, looks down in silent disbelief, I filled the sentence with “it’s their loss”.
Her response, “it really is.”
I replied that I could only imagine how difficult that was and told her that even amongst the Latino community we have problems with this very same issue and that is why her performance is so meaningful for us to see and share. I also said that from the outside all I see is so much love and light and beauty in her family. We gave an air toast, and she went on to enjoy the night.
As I went to leave the party, the director Elegance was outside beaming. I left him in his moment as others sang his well-deserved praises. To bear witness to stars in the height of their shine is an honor I don’t take lightly— it’s a feeling I’ll bottle up for myself.
I predict that this film will also leave you inspired to keep going in the face of seeming defeat, because you might just like what you get on the other side of the storm.
