Night Catches Us (2010)

81% of critics liked it
(48 reviews)
64% of users liked it
(1,086 ratings)

In 1976, after years of mysterious absence, Marcus (Anthony Mackie, "The Hurt Locker") returns to the Philadelphia neighborhood where he came of age in the midst of the Black Power movement. While his arrival raises suspicion among his family and former neighbors, he finds acceptance from his old… More In 1976, after years of mysterious absence, Marcus (Anthony Mackie, "The Hurt Locker") returns to the Philadelphia neighborhood where he came of age in the midst of the Black Power movement. While his arrival raises suspicion among his family and former neighbors, he finds acceptance from his old friend Patricia (Kerry Washington, "Ray," "Lift") and her daughter. However, Marcus quickly finds himself at odds with the organization he once embraced, whose members suspect he orchestrated the slaying of their former comrade-in-arms. In a startling sequence of events, Marcus must protect a secret that could shatter everyone's beliefs as he rediscovers his forbidden passion for Patricia. -- (C) Magnolia

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Rating, Runtime: R, 1 hr. 30 min.
Directed By: Tanya Hamilton
Written By: Tanya Hamilton
Genres: Drama, Romance

In Theaters: Dec 3, 2010 Limited
On DVD: Feb 1, 2011
Studio: Magnolia Picutres

Critic Reviews

Andrea Gronvall, Chicago Reader
Tanya Hamilton directed her own script, and though her ending leaves loose ends dangling, the movie is refreshing for its seriousness and originality.
Stephanie Merry, Washington Post
Except for a stellar soundtrack by the Roots, there isn't much here to make anyone overly excited.
Mick LaSalle, San Francisco Chronicle
As a director, Hamilton makes Liv Ullmann look like an action movie director - and just for the record, Ullmann makes Ingmar Bergman look like Jerry Bruckheimer.
Michael Phillips, Chicago Tribune
Its rhythm forces audiences to pay attention to what its superb actors express non-verbally, and to measure the weight of the characters' past lives.
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times
The film leads to no showy conclusion, no spectacular climax. It is about movement possible within the soul even in difficult times.
A.O. Scott, New York Times
Night Catches Us, a politically sophisticated and ethically serious film, makes no big speeches or obvious points.
Nell Minow, Beliefnet
February 1, 2011 Writer-director Tanya Hamilton and two of today's most gifted actors have produced a sensitive drama with a powerful conclusion.
Gabe Leibowitz, Film and Felt
Tanya Hamilton's Night Catches Us, a snapshot of the post-Black Power movement era, suffers most from its structural deficiencies.
Matthew Sorrento, Film Threat
Writer-director Tanya Hamilton has crafted an intriguing narrative even if she struggles to realize it onscreen.
Michael W. Phillips, Jr., Goatdog's Movies
Attempts to pry the lid off a painful chapter of American history that textbook writers and elected officials would rather erase or whitewash.
Robert Roten, Laramie Movie Scope
This is just another reminder there is a whole pool of acting talent in America, almost a whole film industry, that white audiences are largely unaware of.
Mike Scott, Times-Picayune
The real story here is the arrival of (director Tanya) Hamilton.
Ian Buckwalter, DCist
Washington and Mackie both deliver deeply-felt performances in roles that are all about nuance, particularly when the text sometimes fails them.
Andrea Chase, Killer Movie Reviews
works in maddening shades of gray and pure, compelling lyricism to tell a tragic story about events that are neither right nor wrong, but somewhere in between
Jeffrey M. Anderson, Combustible Celluloid
An excellent achievement for its ability to weave so many complex themes and shades of gray with such poise.
Brian Tallerico, HollywoodChicago.com
Anthony Mackie and Kerry Washington nearly rescue the piece but it just doesn't come together into anything memorable enough to recommend.
Matt Pais, Metromix.com
Sometimes [the film] wisely demonstrates that even in a volatile time and place, there's a time and place to take action. Other times it feels like a shorthand lesson for kids.

Read all 17 critic reviews

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Walter M

It is Philadelphia in 1976. Marcus(Anthony Mackie), a former Black Panther, returns home for the first time in four years for his father's funeral. His brother Bostic(Tariq Trotter) has been left the family home and has already found a buyer while agreeing to let his brother… More
It is Philadelphia in 1976. Marcus(Anthony Mackie), a former Black Panther, returns home for the first time in four years for his father's funeral. His brother Bostic(Tariq Trotter) has been left the family home and has already found a buyer while agreeing to let his brother stay for a week to repair the damage done by the contractors. Marcus may not have that much time considering that DoRight(Jamie Hector) considers him a snitch. But Patty(Kerry Washington), an old friend and community lawyer, is happy to see him, while she has to bail out her cousin Jimmy(Amari Cheatom) from jail. "Night Catches Us" is a modest little drama, that while not striking out any new territory, still manages to tell an engaging story with the help of a good cast. Of special note, is how history repeats itself because of how it has been distorted in the first place. Marcus returns to a neighborhood that has hardly changed from the one he recalls where the police unceremoniously harass blacks, no matter the reason. That's why the Black Panthers came to prominence in the first place, as a self-defense and community organization meant to convey a force of strength, not violence, against oppressors.
Kyle S

A great debut. One of the best films of the year. Anthony Mackie and Kerry Washington both deliver great performances, and the film has a great soundtrack by the Roots, aswell as a supporting performance by Tariq Trotter himself. Jamie Hector and Wendell Pierce of "The Wire"… More
A great debut. One of the best films of the year. Anthony Mackie and Kerry Washington both deliver great performances, and the film has a great soundtrack by the Roots, aswell as a supporting performance by Tariq Trotter himself. Jamie Hector and Wendell Pierce of "The Wire" make up the rest of the supporting cast, and the rest are all newcomers.