‘Exhibiting Forgiveness’ Review: André Holland Grapples with Breaking the Cycle in Delicate Debut Feature
Titus Kaphar's debut feature, 'Exhibiting Forgiveness', explores the struggle of moving on from past pain and the power of forgiveness. The film follows Tarrell, a successful painter haunted by memories of his abusive father. Tarrell's trauma inspires his new paintings, but he struggles with the impact they have on his relationship with his wife and his own journey towards healing. The film delves into themes of generational trauma and the importance of breaking the cycle. Despite some missed opportunities in character development, 'Exhibiting Forgiveness' is a subtle and poetic exploration of the human experience.
Moving On from Past Pain
The past is never really gone. Memories have a way of invading the present, making it difficult to move on from past pain. In 'Exhibiting Forgiveness', Titus Kaphar beautifully explores this struggle through the character of Tarrell, a successful painter who is haunted by memories of his abusive father. These memories feel as immediate as the present, causing Tarrell to wake up angry and violent, scaring his wife, Aisha. Despite his outward success, Tarrell is unable to heal the wounds of his childhood.
This trauma becomes the inspiration for Tarrell's new paintings, which he hopes to exhibit in their own gallery show. However, Tarrell is unsure of how he feels about the work, and tensions arise with Aisha, who is a singer-songwriter wanting to return to the studio and focus on her own art. As they navigate the pressures of their respective careers and their roles as parents, Tarrell's trauma takes priority. The film beautifully captures the internal emotional journey of moving on from past pain.
The Struggle to Break the Cycle
Generational trauma plays a central role in 'Exhibiting Forgiveness', as Tarrell grapples with the love he has for his mother and the hatred he feels towards his father. Tarrell's mother, Joyce, also struggles to let go of the past and romanticizes their troubled history. When Tarrell's abusive father, La'Ron, reenters their lives, Tarrell can barely stand it. La'Ron, now a believer, tries to justify his actions using faith, but is unable to fully understand the extent of the damage he caused.
Throughout the film, Tarrell experiences vivid images of his younger self, a child that was forced to grow up too quickly. These memories fuel his new paintings and invade his dreams, reminding him of the pain he experienced. The film powerfully portrays Tarrell's journey towards breaking the cycle of abuse and finding forgiveness within himself. Young Tarrell's performance, played by Ian Foreman, adds depth to the film, showcasing the beauty of youth forced to grow up too fast.
A Subtle and Poetic Exploration of the Human Experience
Titus Kaphar crafts the story of 'Exhibiting Forgiveness' with a soft hand, reminiscent of films like 'Moonlight' and 'The Last Black Man in San Francisco'. The film's subtle and poetic approach allows the audience to bear witness to the internal emotional journey of the characters, which is beautifully externalized through the movement of the camera. However, there are moments where the film feels too contained and restrained in its dialogue, leaving some questions unanswered.
While the film explores generational trauma effectively, it could have delved deeper into addiction as a theme. La'Ron's character is portrayed in broad strokes, leaving pieces of his backstory missing. Similarly, Joyce's love for him feels somewhat unexplained. Despite these missed opportunities in character development, the performances in the film shine. André Holland delivers a soulful performance as Tarrell, radiating pain and anguish, but also love and tenderness. The chemistry between Holland and Andra Day, who plays Aisha, is palpable and showcases the power of love and art to bring people together.
