Review: Crown Heights

If you are not familiar with Colin Warner's heartbreaking tale either from the news stories surrounding him or the fantastic This American Life episode that outlined this tragedy then Crown Heights is a must-see. Not only is this an important tale but it features a stirring performance from Lakeith Stanfield.

Warner was an 18 year-old immigrant in Brooklyn when he got arrested for a murder he didn't commit. The local police saw an easy way to close a case and concocted a case against largely using coercion techniques. Despite Warner's pleas of innocence, he was sentenced to 15 years to life. Placed in a violent place with no solace for why he is there and Warner can't help but act out, landing him a parole denial quickly. It is due to Warner's best friend Carl (NLF player Nnamdi Asomugha gives a strong performance) and his determination that Warner has any chance of justice. 

Writer and director Matt Ruskin makes an unshowy film, sometimes to the film's detriment. While Stanfield's performance is undeniable and full of so much appropriate rage, defeat, hope and despair; the film around him often feels a bit routine. That being said, Ruskin does create some dream-like memories that feature some wonderful work from cinematographer Ben Kutchins. Stanfield has been growing as an up and coming actor, shining both on TV in Atlanta and in Get Out from earlier this year. Here is is allowed to show everything he's got and he delivers scene after scene, making us understand the emotional and mental toll this horrific injustice took on the real Warner.

The film weaves political context into the narrative using news clips and soundbites. This helps add to the urgency of these kinds of stories. This is powerful stuff even when the pacing suffers a bit and some of the side characters get drawn broadly. The film end with a chilling statistic that there are an estimated 120,000 just like Warner, locked away for crimes they didn't commit

3.5/5