She begins working as a high-end escort, hosting her clients in a renovated loft she’s supposed to be selling. When Abby’s son accidentally hits her in the head with a baseball, the resulting concussion leads her to reassess her life. “Concussion” presents an image of upper middle class lesbian life that feels casual and real. This one is a little sad, but its perspective is fascinating.
If you’ve been avoiding it because you see it as a standard Oscar-winning weepie, reconsider. Though the film is somber, it’s ending has such profound beauty and hope. It’s three stars (Alex Hibbert, Ashton Sanders, Trevante Rhodes) are equally talented at portraying a Southern Black gay man from childhood to adulthood. There’s a lot of hype around Barry Jenkins’ sophomore feature, but it’s all warranted.
