Available today (October 5, 2021) on Blu-ray, DVD and digital is the “dramady” (drama/comedy), Naked Singularity.
The film stars John Boyega (Star Wars), Olivia Cooke (Ready Player One), Bill Skarsgard (It), Ed Skrein (Deadpool), Tim Blake Nelson (Just Mercy) and Linda Lavin (TV’s Alice).
Naked Singularity is the story of a overworked, stressed out public defender named Casi (Boyeda). He’s very disillusioned with the system. Even when he tries to defend people who are bettering themselves, the judge he unfortunately has to go in front of often, Judge Cymbeline, (played by Lavin) always throws the book at them. So why bother anyone?
It seems like Casi is on some kind of a “hamster wheel” where every day is like the next, and no matter what he does, he just can’t seem to get ahead with his clients.
Lea (Cooke) works at the car impound. That is when she meets a creepy guy named Craig who tries to get a vehicle out of the impound that he does not have the paperwork for. Later, Lea ends up hooking up with Craig. That is when she learns that the vehicle has drugs inside that were stolen from the Mexican cartel.
Casi learns that an old college friend, Lea, was arrested for possession of heroin. She wants to strike a deal with the Police. But Lea is not exactly being honest.
Lea plans on getting the vehicle, which will be sold at auction, and selling the drugs inside to the Jewish mafia. She wants to take the money she’ll make from the deal to start a new life.
Lea’s plans soon come to light, and Casi, along with his friend Dane, devise their own plans to foil Lea and Craig’s plan so that they can obtain the money.
Throughout the film there are some sci-fi elements (oddly enough). There are references to the planet imploding, and in one part, Casi seems to levitate (I know… weird!).
Will Casi get the money from Lea and Craig? Will they get caught? Will the world truly implode? To find out, you need to purchase or rent Naked Singularity. Look for it where ever movies are rented/sold.
Overall I liked the film, but honestly, I could have done without the sci-fi references. And the part where Casi levitated made the film less believable. Not that this is a true story, but, the story COULD be true because it’s plausible. Something like this COULD happen – minus the weird sci-fi parts.
Boyega was perfect in this role. He has a bit of an innocents to his look. Even when he’s commuting a crime, he still has wide-eyed, puppy dog look to him (if that makes any sense?). I could never see him playing the role of a hardcore, mean, vicious person. I don’t think he’d ever be believable in a role like that. Of course, that is just my opinion.
I was shocked to see Linda Lavin in this film. Oh boy! She plays “mean” perfectly. I would hate to come across her in a court of law. Sheesh! She’s tough and doesn’t take anything into consideration to sway her sentencing.
The film seemed to keep at a steady pace, meaning it didn’t drag on in any parts. It’s a “slow and steady” type of movie where the story and action don’t really have a “peak” in the film, but rather stay at the same level throughout the whole film, which is fine. There is nothing worse than a film that drags along.
I liked the ending of the film. I think the ending was also something that could happen in real life. It’s not like Casi ends up on an exotic beach drinking mai tais. Does he end up behind bars drinking tap water? I can’t say for sure (you have to see the film for yourself), but the ending does seem realistic, as in, it could happen.
I am not familiar with Oliva Cooke. This is the first film I’ve seen her in. I think she fit her role very well too.
I’m also happy to see Bill Skarsgard. I think he’s an under rated actor.
Below is the film’s trailer for your enjoyment.
Kimberly
*I received a free screener copy in order to do this review. There was no compensation. The opinions expressed are my own and not influenced in any way.