Short Film Review “Jamarcus Rose & Da Five Bullet Holes” Chasing ambitions, accepting guidance, finding brotherhood, and realizing the fragility of life
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First, the Recap:
A guarantee of our future. When we are young, it can be so easy to be in a state of flux as to what our lives might hold for us. It is a time of exploration, with all potential opportunities ahead that we can ponder and then, ideally, narrow down to what our passions lead us to pursue. Yet, in doing this, it becomes imperative we have the support, encouragement, challenge, and accountability to see it through. When this has been absent, it then turns into drifting along or, at minimum, not recognizing the need to fill a void we don’t always want to acknowledge…or rectify.
What life does hold for a young man named Jamarcus (Duane Ervin) appears to be a fulfilling career in the sport he loves the most…baseball. Yet, in spite of his highly competent skills, there’s something missing….a true male role model. At the doting but firm behest of his only “parent”, his grandmother Esther (Ruthie Austin), Jamarcus is taken under the wing of Jasper (Stephen Cofield Jr.) from the Big Brothers of America. What both men will discover are the mutually shared struggles and need for genuine influences. Life, however, can be such a perilous, and tragic, thing.
Next, my Mind:
Over the last several years, I have had the privilege of being one of the critics having the opportunity to watch and review several films from writer/director/producer Marcellus Cox, whose efforts are never anything less but grounded, relevant, and steeped in unflinching glimpses illustrating the gripping, inspired, and ever-vacillating realms that make up the human condition. After offering my thoughts on the filmmaker’s previous accomplishments…”Mickey Hardaway” (Short Film version), “Mickey Hardaway” (Feature Film version), and “Liquor Bank“…the time has arrived to tackle the newest short film from someone I firmly believe will continue to make larger and larger splashes within the cinematic arena. Teaming up with producer Eric Quincy, executive producer Sandra Evers-Manly, and associate producers Stanley Diedrich, Chris Kim, and Alexandra Nelson, Cox once more delivers with passion, impact, and a no-nonsense portrait of existence.
Checking in at a perfectly timed, superbly executed twenty-three minutes, the narrative sees us immersed into the world of a young high schooler whose sole desire it is to be a professional baseball pitcher reluctantly opening up to a man he is introduced to through Big Brothers of America who wants to BE that grander, more positive influence helping guide him towards it. Now, one MIGHT wish to argue it sounds like a fairly typical “chasing your dreams” style story, which is always welcome, motivational, and, frankly, needed these days as it is, in my opinion. Yet, leave it to the genre that is independent cinema to expand on this foundational gist and turn it into a far more in depth, stirring, fearless, credible foray into just how things in life are NOT a constant of smooth sailing, but rather an often stormy sea of challenges, choices, and unexpected circumstances that can utterly transform people’s paths they tread.
As such, here we are experiencing a journey that is as heartening as it is haunting, evocative as it is compellingly unrelenting in showcasing the very nature of youthful rebellion, loss, brotherhood, and resilience. Yet it is also the depiction of extremes in one’s interpretation of what they feel is necessary to survive, to exist, even when it might come at the cost of others’ peace and happiness. It is a story of broken families tainted by harsh decisions and mentalities, the redemptive power of authentic compassion, and the encounters with misguided moments that can crush all in its path. The thematic forays touch on these plus confidence vs. ignorance, trying to avoid wandering down more crooked paths, contemplating the now vs. the future, the absence and discovery of true role models, chasing dreams, the specters of addiction, overcoming difficult pasts and family situations, inner pains we hold in and those who aid us in releasing it, and the healing potency of listening.
What remains an equally dynamic is the film’s finale, which becomes yet another one that leaves an indelible, persuasive, wrenching mark on your very being, as even if we’ve heard these tales before, it should NEVER lessen the actualities and need for change it all represents. As with Cox’s previous films, there’s a definitive push to get actors that do excellently at playing realistic, believable, engaging characters and no exception here, beginning with Ervin in his title role as Jamarcus, a high school boy on the cusp of becoming a man and taking on the pursuit of a sports dream he’s aspired to even in spite of growing up with a less than perfect family. Now raised by his grandmother, who sets him up to be mentored through Big Brothers of America, Jamarcus’s hesitations about FULLY committing to staying focused on the goal still linger.
But, even as his kinship with Jasper take form and provide that needed hand of support and challenge, will Jamarcus be able to maintain the positivity and newfound understanding he now has in order to see his aims come to pass? It’s a wholly convincing performance Ervin provides, making us root for his character’s endeavors to better himself and truly embrace who he is as a man, demonstrating both a toughness and a vulnerability that wins you over with understated ease. Cofield, Jr. makes his own presence known with purposefully muted energy, fervor, and all-around balanced emotional poise through his role as Jasper, the man from Big Brothers of America who becomes friend, confidant, counselor, and instigator of faith in people who are sincere to Jamarcus, even when the latter is not thrilled at first with having what he considers “a babysitter”.
As Jasper, through word and deed, champions the young man’s cause, they being opening up to each other about similar grief and loss they’ve had in their lives, which only serves to bring to pair to a deeper sense of trust, invoking more positive actions and attitudes, and forming a relationship that ends up altering both of them. It’s an example of the kind of connection with others that remains so important to find and hold onto, and the beautiful depth of kindness and fortitude that Cofield, Jr. imbues Jasper with is inspired, effective, and dramatically riveting in its intent thanks to the performance we are provided. Austin deftly embodies the demeanor of a devoted, loving, but also urgently unwavering relative via her role as Esther, Jamarcus’s grandmother whose only wish is to see her slightly wayward grandson completely grasp onto his potential and dedicate himself to it without unneeded distraction.
Knowing she cannot be the needed male figure Jamarcus needs, Esther does all she can via setting him up with Jasper’s guidance while also treating her grandson’s initially flippant/resistant view of this as silly or NOT required. It’s that no-nonsense style of addressing a young person’s often unconcerned or contrary perspective on things that Austin does so adeptly and emotively well here as Esther, painting an affecting picture of unquestionable adoration, advocacy, and desire for success the character longs for when it comes to her grandson. The main supporting role arrives from Eric McNair, whose character becomes a catalyst of even more conspicuous and jarring alterations to the course both Jamarcus and Jasper are walking. So, in total, “Jamarcus Rose & Da Five Bullet Holes” delivers a bold object lesson in the trials, triumphs, and uncertainties life can bring, the authentic people who help us along the way, the recognition of how much we need them, and the realization that we should go for what we strive for with everything we’ve got, every moment, every day, because NONE of us are ever guaranteed tomorrow.
STAR RATING (out of 5):
As always, this is all for your consideration and comment. Until next time, thank you for reading!
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