Film - The 40-Year-Old Version
Radha Blank, the woman behind this is essentially playing a version of herself, Rhada could have been a character in Bernadine Evaristo’s, Girl, Woman, Other. A New York playwright approaching 40 who is teaching to make ends meet while trying to get a production financed. I’m thinking, ‘those who can do, those who can’t teach. Not true at all.
While struggling with the dilemma of staying true to herself or risking conforming to the people on power want from the play, Rhada goes off in an altogether different direction as. Rather randomly, she gets caught up in the hip-hop scene as RhadaMUSPrime and wins a place on an open mike night, just as rehearsals for her play (because black women directors are hot right now) are in full swing. I love her honest relationship with agent/friend Archie while being able to giggle at every joke to camera.
After seeing this, I saw, I watched one of my favourite films of 2017, Patti Cake$ and immediately noticed the similarities. 2019’s 40-Year-Old-Version is worth a watch.
Oh, and I completely forgot it was in black and white until I just saw the trailer.
7½/10
Netflix