Movie Review: The American Society of Magical Negroes

The new film entitled The American Society of Magical Negroes is, on one level, an examination of society through the lens of the cinematic trope of the “magical negro” popularized in American culture throughout the twentieth century. On another, less serious plane, the film is a solidly entertaining romantic comedy that establishes a new filmmaker with a voice that, with a little seasoning, should have a lot to say in the not-too-distant future.

The film follows the trials and tribulations of a young man named Aren (Justice Smith) after he is recruited by a mysterious man named Roger (David Alan Grier) to join an organization called The Society of Magical Negroes. This society is dedicated to the purpose of making white people more comfortable around people of color, which is done using the “magical” powers bestowed up members of the society once they are assigned white people to assuage.

Aren is initially paired with Jason (Drew Tarver) and given the mission of setting him up with Lizzie (An-Li Bogan). Unfortunately, the universe seems to have other plans as Aren and Lizzie seem to have a connection that supersedes anything the “Society” is attempting to orchestrate (or that Jason may himself desire). From there, the film becomes a sort of cross between a romantic comedy and a more philosophical examination of racial stereotypes and how they affect everyday life whether consciously or unconsciously.

Having previously worked primarily in the television arena as a writer (Klepper [2019]) and actor (Madam Secretary [2015-2017]), Kobi Libii makes his feature directorial debut here working from his own script. While the results may not be jaw-dropping, there is a flare for getting the most out of actors in a performance at work here that portends even stronger things to come from such a young filmmaker. Although some may find the approach the film takes using the trope of the “magical negro” a bit off-putting, it serves the story well and again, at its heart, the film works best as a romantic comedy, and it is there that it succeeds best.

Justice Smith and An-Li Bogan in “The American Society of Magical Negroes.” Photo by Tobin Yelland – © 2024 Focus Features, LLC.

The players are in all the way throughout the film, and their exuberance and affinity for the material is infectious, making it hard to simply not like the characters and suffer along with them. As Aren, Smith does a fine job of trying to make sense of a world that seems set on rolling against him. David Alan Grier serves the role of mentor/guide for both Aren and the audience well and brings a bit of light-hearted humor to all his scenes. As the recipient of Aren’s affections, Lizzie, An-Li Bogan pulls most of the weight in the relationship machinations between she and Aren as well as those with Jason (who is played by Tarver as the affable Caucasian he is intended to be to spur Aren along to do what is best for everyone).

While it may not be the ultimate commentary on race relations, nor may it touch on anything new regarding the subject, The American Society of Magical Negroes is a film with a solid purpose and its intentions are sound as well as earnest and that makes this a film more powerful than not.

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Mike Tyrkus

Editor in Chief at CinemaNerdz.com

An independent filmmaker, co-writer and director of over a dozen short films, the Editor in Chief of CinemaNerdz.com has spent much of the last three decades as a writer and editor specializing in biographical and critical reference sources in literature and the cinema, beginning in February 1991 reviewing films for his college newspaper. He was a member of the Detroit Film Critics Society, as well as the group's webmaster and one-time President for over a decade until the group ceased to exist. His contributions to film criticism can be found in Magill's Cinema Annual, VideoHound's Golden Movie Retriever (of which he was the editor for nearly a decade until it too ceased to exist), the International Dictionary of Films and Filmmakers, and the St. James Film Directors Encyclopedia (on which he collaborated with editor Andrew Sarris). He has also appeared on the television program Critic LEE Speaking alongside Lee Thomas of FOX2 and Adam Graham, of The Detroit News. He currently lives in the Detroit area with his wife and their dogs.

@miketyrkus

Mike Tyrkus

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