MIDDLE OF NOWHERE

US, 2012, 101 minutes, Colour.

Emayatzy Corinealdi, Omari Hardwick, David Oyelowo, Lorraine Toussaint, Edwina Findlay, Sharon Lawrence.

Directed by Ava DuVernay.

Middle of Nowhere is the second feature film by Ava DuVernay who did not make feature films until her late 30s. Two years after this film she made the portrait of Martin Luther King, Selma, and, in 2023, the exploration of investigation of racial themes in the US, Origins.

The title refers to the psychological situations of most of the central characters. But, with the screenplay and the direction, this is very much a female observation of female characters and situations, and very much geared towards African-American women who can identify with the characters and situations. While there are some sympathetic portraits of African-American men, the focus is very much on the women.

This is a story of a nurse, Ruby, played by Emayatzy Coninealdi, whose husband is sentenced to 5 years in prison, Derek, played by actor, writer, poet, Omari Hardwick. Ruby is strong-minded, devoted to her husband, demanding that he serve five years and be released on good behaviour. Four years pass.

While the audience sees Ruby at work, at home, there is a very tense relationship with her mother, played by Lorraine Toussaint, strong-minded interfering, resented by her two daughters. Ruby visits her husband in the prison and is hoping that he will soon be paroled, finding money, even borrowing from her mother, to pay for a top lawyer.

At the parole hearing, there is something of a shock for Ruby and she reacts impulsively and quietly the vindictively, a relationship with a bus driver whom she has had a passing friendship with, Brian, played by David Oyelowo, sympathetic character.

Which means that Ruby’s life and plans receive quite a blow. There is some final revelation of what was the crime and the cause of her husband’s imprisonment,  her finally going to see him, explaining how both of them are in the middle of nowhere in their lives and the choices will have to be made.

1. The symbolism of the title? Would Derek in prison? For Ruby waiting for him? For her mother wanting the bond with her children? For her sister and her child? And for all the characters at the end of the film? Choices?
2. The work of the director, her interest in African-American themes? This film targeting black American female audiences? Identification with the characters and themes? Universal themes? The male characters, male audiences observing?
3. The American city, homes, neighbourhoods, hospitals and reception, prisons, visiting rooms? The streets, the bus routes, the bus rides? Atmosphere? The musical score, its tone and style, the lyrics as background?
4. Ruby’s story, her relationship with Derek, going to see him in prison, the five year sentence, her intensity, travelling to see him, making demands on his intentions, five years with good behaviour, four years passing? Her relationship with her mother, tense, her demanding mother, bringing up the girls by herself, her interfering in her children’s lives, Rosie’s resentment, preventing her babysitting her son? The meal together and its tensions? Ruby’s relationship with her sister, conversations? Her work at the hospital, nursing, competence, not going to study further?
5. Audience interest in Derek, the mystery of his background and crimes, his partner and visits with the money? Intense, the pressure from Ruby, five years in good behaviour, four years passing and his good record? His presence in the flashbacks, love for Ruby, at home, the cooking, companionship? Yet the revelation of the story, absence from home for days with his friend, the guns, towards the end the visualising of the raid, the arrest, handcuffing Ruby?
6. Ruby’s ordinary life, her style, manner, work, competence, the bus rides and the encounter with Brian? With Rosie, seeing Brian, the conversation, the invitation to the club?
7. Ruby, finance, the parole board, her registration, finding the money to pay the counsellor, the demand for upfront payment, her creating a scene in the office, standing her ground, the compromise, the money from her mother, going to the hearing, Derek’s presence, the good report, the skills of the lawyer, and the revelation of the relationship with the guard? Ruby and her shock? The lawyer handling the situation? Derek leaving?
8. The effect on Ruby, upset, wandering, the decision to go to the club, the meeting with Brian, the dancing, driving her home, going to his place, the encounter, her motivation, anger, retaliation? The phone call from Derek, her ignoring it? Explaining to Brian?
9. Her going to see Derek, the discussion in the prison, her love, yet her demands, his apologies?
10. The future, a reconciliation with her mother, relationship with her sister and nephew, the attack by Derek’s partner? The possibilities for Derek and four years? Her saying she would not wait in the same way? Memories of Brian? The possibilities?