LITTLE BOXES
US, 2016, 84 minutes, Colour.
Melanie Lynskey, Nelsan Ellis, Armani Jackson, Oona Laurence, Janeane Garofalo, Christine Taylor, Miranda McKeon?, Maliq Johnson.
Directed by Rob Meyer.
The title derives from the song about houses like little boxes made of ticky-tack.
This is a film about racism but rather mild in its execution. Melanie Linskey and Nelsan Ellis are a mixed race couple who move from New York City to Washington state for her to take up a new position and for him to write another novel. They have a son played by Armani Jackson.
The wife is welcomed into a University position using her skills in photography. The husband wanders around town and is eventually identified as a published author. The little boy meets up with two young girls, making friends, they having the novelty of a mixed-race friend in their society.
There are many moments of implicit racism, especially with the mother of one of the girls, played by Christine Taylor.
Eventually, it becomes too much for the father which puts burdens on the mother and they want to move out. However, they come to some terms and return to their home.
While this might have some impact for an American audience, especially African- Americans, it seems rather mild in its treatment for a non-American audience.
1. The title? The song and the reference to the little boxes, made of ticky-tack, all being the same? Ironies?
2. New York City, the contrast with Rome, Washington? The small town, nice streets and homes, the college…? The musical score?
3. Race issues, presented more mildly, in the context of suburbia, mindsets and prejudices?
4. Gina, her background, career, the appointment in Washington State? Mack, writer, his published novel? Armani, his age, his parents and race, his being mixed race? The decision to go to Washington as a family? Travel, arrival, settling in?
5. Gina, her photography, welcome to the school, meeting the staff, the introductory lecture, making friendships, her displays?
6. Mack, with time on his hands, going to the bookshop, the owner bringing in his book, recognising him? The neighbour, the neighbourhood committee, the welcome? His wariness, racism beneath the surface?
7. Armani, going out, meeting the two girls, their attitudes and comments about mixed race? Yet his settling in with them, their being precocious, the dances? The mother welcoming them? Ambrosia, her comments and her mother, her mother’s severity?
8. Mack, trying to write, aware of his status, racial background, ripping the paper of the wall, mildew, the wood? The repairs? The phone calls from the truck driver with their possessions? Delayed? Antagonisms? Their finally delivering everything, on the lawn, not in the house?
9. Gina, socials, arriving home late, the issue of the wall, her becoming exasperated, Armani’s behaviour?
10. Armani, going out at night, the stone through the window? The mother, coming to the house, accusing Armani, his parents not believing her? Her past prejudice? Their getting the car, leaving? Armani confessing that he had thrown the stone? The shock for his parents? The returning home, unable to go into the house for some hours because
of the repairs?
11. The seriousness of the race issues? The rather mild treatment?
