A slightly repetitive, but nonetheless fascinating societal drama that rewards concentration

Adapted from the play of the same name by J.C. Lee, Luce was written for the screen by Lee and Julius Onah, and directed by Onah. Tackling all manner of hot-button issues, including race, class, gender, power, privilege, :pound_symbol:MeToo, academic achievement, stereotypes, liberal elitism, even revolutionary rhetoric and the importance of language in encoding societal/political power structures, it also works as a thriller about a young man who may, or may not, be a dangerous sociopath posing as the embodiment of the American Dream. Without question it asks a lot of the audience, not just in terms of meeting it halfway in an ideological sense, but also in more fundamental narrative terms – the film's core is a puzzle that can only be fully resolved by reading between the lines. And there are a hell of a lot of lines, meaning some audiences simply won't want to put in the effort. It's by no means perfect – it's too long and lapses into repetition on occasion, and it spreads itself too thin thematically – but, by and large, this is strong work, brilliantly acted, subtly directed, and with plenty to say to those willing to listen.

For my complete review, please visit: https://boxd.it/RSHvh