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Passing

  • 2021
  • PG-13
  • 1h 38m
IMDb RATING
6.6/10
17K
YOUR RATING
Ruth Negga and Tessa Thompson in Passing (2021)
Adapted from the celebrated 1929 novel of the same name by Nella Larsen, PASSING tells the story of two Black women, Irene Redfield (Tessa Thompson) and Clare Kendry (Academy Award nominee Ruth Negga), who can "pass" as white but choose to live on opposite sides of the color line during the height of the Harlem Renaissance in late 1920s New York.
Play trailer1:53
6 Videos
48 Photos
Period DramaDramaMysteryThriller

"Passing" follows the unexpected reunion of two high school friends, whose renewed acquaintance ignites a mutual obsession that threatens both of their carefully constructed realities."Passing" follows the unexpected reunion of two high school friends, whose renewed acquaintance ignites a mutual obsession that threatens both of their carefully constructed realities."Passing" follows the unexpected reunion of two high school friends, whose renewed acquaintance ignites a mutual obsession that threatens both of their carefully constructed realities.

  • Director
    • Rebecca Hall
  • Writers
    • Rebecca Hall
    • Nella Larsen
  • Stars
    • Tessa Thompson
    • Ruth Negga
    • André Holland
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    6.6/10
    17K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Rebecca Hall
    • Writers
      • Rebecca Hall
      • Nella Larsen
    • Stars
      • Tessa Thompson
      • Ruth Negga
      • André Holland
    • 179User reviews
    • 184Critic reviews
    • 85Metascore
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Nominated for 4 BAFTA Awards
      • 34 wins & 127 nominations total

    Videos6

    Official Trailer
    Trailer 1:53
    Official Trailer
    Passing
    Trailer 2:04
    Passing
    Passing
    Trailer 2:04
    Passing
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    Clip 2:17
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    Photos47

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    Top cast36

    Edit
    Tessa Thompson
    Tessa Thompson
    • Irene
    Ruth Negga
    Ruth Negga
    • Clare
    André Holland
    André Holland
    • Brian
    Bill Camp
    Bill Camp
    • Hugh
    Gbenga Akinnagbe
    Gbenga Akinnagbe
    • Dave
    Antoinette Crowe-Legacy
    Antoinette Crowe-Legacy
    • Felise
    Alexander Skarsgård
    Alexander Skarsgård
    • John
    Justus Davis Graham
    Justus Davis Graham
    • Ted
    Ethan Barrett
    • Junior
    Ashley Ware Jenkins
    • Zulena
    Stu S. Becker
    • Cabbie
    Tom White
    Tom White
    • Attendant
    Margaret Daly
    Margaret Daly
    • Woman #1
    Kerry Flanagan
    Kerry Flanagan
    • Woman #2
    Buzz Roddy
    • Officer
    Derek Roberts
    Derek Roberts
    • Guest
    Amos J. Machanic
    • Ralph Hazelton
    • (as Amos Machanic)
    Amber Barbee Pickens
    Amber Barbee Pickens
    • Dancer
    • (as Amber Pickens)
    • Director
      • Rebecca Hall
    • Writers
      • Rebecca Hall
      • Nella Larsen
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews179

    6.617.2K
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    Featured reviews

    7ferguson-6

    the grey area between black and white

    Greetings again from the darkness. "We're all passing for something or other." Irene (played by Tessa Thompson) speaks the line that cuts to the quick of Nella Larsen's 1929 novel, adapted here by first time writer-director Rebecca Hall. We are familiar with Ms. Hall's many film projects as an actor, and her debut as a director shows immense promise. Ms. Larsen's novel was inspired by her own life as a mixed-race woman.

    It's Irene whom we first see as 'passing' as white as she visits a retail store and takes tea at a fancy restaurant that most assuredly would not serve her if her light complexion and drawn-down hat were not hiding her true self. Cinematographer Eduard Grau has the camera track Irene's darting eyes that are trained to notice potential trouble. Her gaze stops on a woman seated alone. There is a familiarity between the two and soon, Clare (Ruth Negga) has joined her long-ago childhood friend, Irene, at her table. While Irene "passes" when it's necessary, she clearly identifies and lives as an African-American - married to Harlem doctor Brian (Andre Holland). Clare, on the other hand, is living a lie. She has permanently "passed" as a white woman, marrying John (Alexander Skarsgard).

    The film's best scene occurs when Clare takes Irene home and introduces her to husband John. His vile, racist nature immediately shows, creating a tense moment filled with excruciating and subtle exchanges of knowing glances between Clare and Irene. It's a dangerous moment and we aren't sure where it's headed. What is clear is that a childhood bond may exist between the two ladies, but there is now a void that can never be filled. But what happens is that Clare finagles her way into the lives of Irene and Brian (and their kids). What we see is that Clare finds the 'honest' life quite enticing. Allowing herself to be who she is ... dropping the façade ... energizes her. Racial identity and sexuality are at stake here, and so are class and culture.

    Bill Camp plays a pompous writer named Hugh who always seems to be hanging around the parties and events of Irene. One of the best lines of the film occurs after Bill asks someone why they are hanging around. The answer is brief and insightful, and cuts to the quick. It's a strong debut film from director Hall. It has a dreamlike look and excellent performances from the two leading ladies. The grey area in life is teased, and we do wish the dive had been a bit deeper on Irene and Clare, but that ending is one that will stun you - even if you're expecting it.

    Streaming on Netflix.
    8tm-sheehan

    A Fascinating journey into a unique story of race denial

    My Review - Passing streaming on Netflix

    My Rating 8/10

    Passing is a very unusual story which I thought was fascinating, educational and quite beautiful to watch.

    The film is based on the 1929 novel of the same name by Nella Larsen, and its title refers to African-Americans who had skin color light enough to be perceived as white, referred to as "passing." I was fascinated from the opening scene when we see Irene Redfield, a refined, upper-class 1920s woman, finding a breezy refuge from a hot summer day in the grand tearoom of New York City's Drayton Hotel. Across the room, she spots a blond woman staring her down, Clare.

    Irene who is obviously "Passing" just for the day at first is alarmed that she may have been sprung until Clare approaches and she recognises that Claire who is now blonde and obviously passing unrecognisable as Afro American is her childhood friend so they reminisce and bring each other up to date on their new middle to upper class lives .

    Clare invites Irene back to the hotel where she is staying with her husband, John, on his business trip. Clare explains that after her father died, she was raised by two white aunts and married him very young. They are interrupted by John, who openly despises and degrades African-Americans, unaware of his wife's racial background or that Irene is "passing" for the day.

    Clare is determined to re enter her friend Irene's life as she longs for contact again with her race and Irene who is married to Brian a successful Doctor and living in relative splendour in Harlem has social contacts with the community she has hidden from since her marriage to John.

    That's enough no spoilers the story takes off in directions that are surprising.

    The two actresses in Passing are both beautiful and talented Tessa Thompson as Irene is so elegant and understated and Ruth Negga as Claire is a jazz baby of the 1920's both wear some beautiful fashion by costume designer Marci Rodgers.

    Filming began in November 2019 written and produced, and directed by Rebecca Hall in her feature directorial debut.

    With less than a month to go before filming production was set to begin, Rebecca Hall was still $500,000 short on her desired $10 million budget, and had to apply for two grants to cover the difference.

    The film is in monochrome. Benjamin Lee of The Guardian praised the use of a 4:3 aspect ratio as in this film it was "both fitting and practical given a smaller budget.

    I think what I found most interesting in Passing was the unusual aspect that's not often depicted that of wealthy middle class Afro Americans set in my favourite era the 1920's and living lives of privilege while on the other side of town the contrast of the poorer members of their community live in relative poverty.

    Their affluent lifestyles mirrored the wealthy white families they also employed black servants and attended charity functions , their homes were stylish and they dressed beautifully.

    I had to research a little more after watching Passing and found a few interesting pieces about the African American society in the 1920s that expressed a strong sense of cultural identity. The Harlem Renaissance was the center of African American literary and artistic activity during this period.

    W. E. B. DuBois. The American sociologist, historian, civil rights activist and author. Wrote an essay in 1903 called "The Talented Tenth." The black elite in New York were educated men and women who "aspired to an identity that reached beyond the local and the national to a cosmopolitanism that would distinguish them both from the mass of impoverished black New Yorkers and also from the wealthy, educated- but racially estranged - white men and women with whom they otherwise shared much" It is ironic that the black elite wanted to both distinguish themselves from their poor brethren and also uplift the poor blacks.

    I really enjoyed Passing and definitely recommend it to anyone who enjoys an original and unique experience in Cinema.
    8sweidman-28016

    Rebecca Hall Can Direct!

    Passing had me worried going in. With Rebecca Hall's directorial debut, this seemed like something that could go well or horribly wrong. What we've all learned from this is that Rebecca Hall is no longer just a good actress, but also a director. A novel adaption, the film follows the unexpected reunion of two high school friends, whose renewed acquaintance ignites a mutual obsession that threatens both of their carefully constructed realities. There's a lot to digest here. The script is really thought provoking. It deals with race, gender, sexuality, and much more - sometimes even without mentioning it. Today's climate has evolved so much since the 20s (I believe it's the 20s), but this all still feels so relevant. Tessa Thompson and Ruth Negga give incredible performances. Truly some of the best work they've done. André Holland has a supporting role that he also does well with. Every frame has something to say, whether it's symbolic or straightforward. The use of gorgeous black and white cinematography at a 4:3 aspect ratio speaks so much. The production design is pleasing to look at along with the costumes. It's a really beautiful film to look at. I liked Passing a little more than most. Some have felt the slowness is too much and that it's too quiet. I did think it take a minute to get into but I thought this was extremely well made. A minor issue I had was with the sound. They all talk so quietly that it can be hard to hear sometimes. Hall explained during the Q&A that she intended it to be quiet, but it could've used more work. Honestly, I think we have an early awards contender for next year. The film speaks about race in a way no other has.
    7benjaminskylerhill

    Thought-provoking, if somewhat lacking.

    Rebecca Hall's directorial debut is impressive, to be sure. She proves with Passing that she has a sure hand behind the camera, capturing genuine human connection and emotion with very limited cuts.

    The characters and their interactions provide thoroughly thoughtful material that causes one to wonder what-if anything-would ever be able to truly satisfy them in life, and what sort of wishes would bring nothing but heartache if they did come true.

    It seems that Hall had a little too much on her mind, as some of the conflict between characters is quite rushed, leaving motivations vague, and it doesn't come across as strong as it should.

    Overall, I'm impressed and I look forward to what Hall does next.
    6atractiveeyes

    Missed Opportunity

    It's beautiful and stylish but it's disappointing. It has a really interesting idea and seems promising at first but then takes a stupid boring turn. In spite of some powerful lines, the screenplay is dull. Performances are very good. It has some good parts but it's flawed, it's a missed opportunity.

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      In casting the two main characters, Rebecca Hall said she had to find two actors that could play either role, because both of them are so seduced by and interested in each other's lives. Ruth Negga agreed, suggesting that if they were doing it as a stage play, the actors could trade roles every other night. Tessa Thompson, however, demurred: "I would never want to play Clare. I love Ruth in this part so much, I wouldn't have done it."
    • Goofs
      The toy cars in the early stage of the movie were not possible to be made in the '20s as the toy cars from that era could not be produced at contemporary precision. Such precision was not possible until the '90s. Toy cars from the '30s usually had blunt axles without transparent windows nor interior.
    • Quotes

      Irene: We're all passing for something or other, aren't we?

    • Connections
      Featured in CBS News Sunday Morning with Jane Pauley: 10-24-2021 (2021)
    • Soundtracks
      The Homeless Wanderer
      Written and Performed by Emahoy Tsegué-Maryam Guèbrou

      Courtesy of The Emahoy Tsege Mariam Music Foundation

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    FAQ17

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    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • November 10, 2021 (United States)
    • Countries of origin
      • United States
      • United Kingdom
      • Canada
    • Official site
      • Official Netflix
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Giữa Hai Màu Da
    • Filming locations
      • New York City, New York, USA
    • Production companies
      • AUM Group
      • Film4
      • Flat Five Productions
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 38 minutes
    • Color
      • Black and White
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Digital
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.37 : 1

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