Blindfire (2020)

Directed by: Michael Nell | 82 minutes | crime, drama | Actors: Brian Geraghty, Brian Geraghty, Bethany Joy Lenz, Jim Beaver, Edwina Findley, Chiké Okonkwo, Wayne Brady, Sam Ashe Arnold, Tom Virtue, Kevin Ross, Charles Robinson, Yvette Freeman, Nefetari Spencer, Genesis White, Desi Williams, Cedric Begley, Isaiah Frizzelle, Khai Thach, Chris McRitchie, Robby Stahl

Responding to current events can be a good way to put yourself in the spotlight. That was exactly the approach that debuting director Michael Nell had when he canned ‘Blindfire’. This film is about police brutality, racism and prank calls. Now that police brutality in the United States and Institutional racism are common terms in our daily news coverage, this filmmaker thought it would be a good idea to release a film that addresses these themes. Unfortunately, it has resulted in a hastily made film that does more harm than good.

In ‘Blindfire’, a police officer (Brian Geraghty) responds to a disturbing call. There would be a dangerous situation. When he arrives at his destination, he feels compelled to shoot a black suspect. However, this African American is innocent. A lawsuit begins and the agent does everything he can to clear his name. But is that possible? To what extent was this shooting justifiable?

When it comes to sensitive issues such as police brutality and racism, care is required. At least if you’re planning to make a serious film that wants to discuss these matters in a careful and humane way. Unfortunately, this matter is too ambitious for Nell. The characters are stereotypes made flesh (the standard cop in divorce and with alcohol problems reappears and the fast-talking, noisy African-American is also seen again) and the way the film unfolds is too improbable for words. With a running time of 83 minutes, the heavy theme is exposed rather rudely. It all has to go quite quickly and that comes at the expense of character development and setting the theme.

‘Blindfire’ is probably well-intentioned, but in the current version this film comes across as bad. The film doesn’t know what it wants to be: an indictment, thriller or drama? It is neither meat nor fish.