WATCH THE TRAILER HERE
First, the Recap:
Running the race. It’s a phrase utilized literally in the sport of running, but moreso gets associated with the notion of life– facing it head on, overcoming the obstacles in your way, and simply living it to the fullest. When those mountains rise up in front of us and try to make us think they are insurmountable, that’s the time to stand up and shine. Teenager Karen (Brianetta Norris) knows how to work hard and stand tall, but a broken home life with a strung out mother, Ruby (Niya Davis), seems to find a way to hold her back from pursuing her real passion of being a star runner at school. Forced to look for work at her demanding mother’s insistence, things seem stagnated.
But, thanks to solid relationships with a dear friend, Val (Molly Ratermann), and a boy from her new job, Ethan (David Burgio), Karen pushes through most of the adversity, yet still finds herself on the losing end, not able to completely break free of impediments. However, big change occurs upon meeting June (Antisha Anderson-Scruggs), a former champion runner whose own former coach, Chuck (T. Dion Burns) has been trying to get back in the racing game. As the two women bond in their mutual passion to be the best runners they can be, each fights through life’s other circumstances in order to stay the course and achieve their goals. Nevertheless, life is not always going to play fair, and getting up when knocked down becomes paramount.
Next, my Mind:
Taking a solid, character-based approach to the oft trod ground that is “overcoming the odds” as a primary theme, writer/director/producer Brody Chaze once again proves that straight-forward storytelling is the best plan of attack in independent filmmaking. While not necessarily diving too deep into each character’s psyche, as it were, in this effort, there really isn’t the need to when desiring to showcase the basic truth that life is not always this easy ride, and that you truly have to stand your ground for what you want, push away the barriers, and just be willing to not give up on your dreams. With this in mind, the simple narrative accompanied with fluid pacing and visuals causes everything to blend smoothly and with intent.
Norris is great as Karen, able to portray the character as both a mildly rebellious yet also genuinely astute and caring teen girl who only wants to see her chances to be what she wants to come to pass, even with the difficulties found at home. Davis’ Ruby, a flat out antagonist in the film’s first act, plays the part with precision and emotes well as a mother whose own personal issues do threaten to undermine her daughter’s plans. Anderson-Scruggs’ June is played wonderfully as a bastion of grit and fortitude, having lost so much of her life’s momentum, weathering others trying to tell her what she needs to do, and bringing Karen under her wing and finding new hope in it.
Supporting turns from Ratermann, Burns, Burgio, and Rachel Riahi all add the apropos moments in the story via their respective characters, and ultimately all become a part of the greater whole in key places. In total, “The Negative Split”, a title that refers to a runner doing better time in the second half of a race, carries it’s messages off well. It is these types of stories that we need to embrace, even through the harsher situations and attitudes presented, in order to find those sometimes elusive dreams and the inner strength to see them come to reality.
As always, this is all for your consideration and comment. Until next time, thank you for reading!
