Sometimes a movie comes along that is so raw, so open, that speaks to you in such a way that it punches you in the chest. For me this year at Sundance, that film was Titus Kaphar’s semi-autobiographical Exhibiting Forgiveness.
The film stars André Holland as Tarrell, a famous painter who has turned the trauma of his childhood into fuel for creating beautiful images. Andra Day plays Tarrell’s wife, a renowned singer with troubles of her owns. As Tarrell tries to set the right example for his young son, he is confronted by the return of his estranged father, played by John Earl Jelks, a regretful recovering addict eager to reconcile. Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor plays Tarrell’s mother, a spiritual woman who encourages him to try and find some room in his heart to forgive, but it isn’t easy.
As you can tell from the new trailer, this is a deeply moving, sensitive drama with people who are weighed down by their anger, guilt, remorse, and regrets. It’s not an easy film, nor should it be. Kaphar, who originally conceived Exhibiting Forgiveness as a documentary, knew that and pulls no emotional punches. This is such a beautiful movie and I hope people check it out.
SYNOPSIS: Tarrell (Holland) is an admired American painter who lives with his wife, singer Aisha (Day), and their young son, Jermaine. Tarrell’s artwork excavates beauty from the anguish of his youth, keeping past wounds at bay. His path to success is derailed by an unexpected visit from his estranged father, La’Ron (Jelks), a conscience-stricken man desperate to reconcile. Tarrell’s mother, Joyce (Ellis-Taylor) a pious woman with a profound and joyful spirituality, hopes that Tarrell can open his heart to forgiveness, giving them all another chance at being a family. Tarrell and La’Ron learn that forgetting might be a greater challenge than forgiving in this raw and deeply moving film.
Exhibiting Forgiveness opens in theaters on October 18th.
