Miss Juneteenth

A joyful observation of Black lives, timely in this moment of global protest against racial injustice.

Carl Jung's claim that the greatest burden a child must bear is the unlived life of its parents is rigorously tested, and validated, by this perfectly formed heartbreaker from the debut director Channing Godfrey Peoples.

The film buzzes with life and sincere feeling. The performances resonate like a struck bell. But a few too many questions are left unasked.

It's a rare American film that is willing to risk not having the protagonist learn the right lesson -- especially if the filmmaker, too, is ambitious to move on to bigger things.

There are struggles still to be faced, but the message of Peoples's film is one of love, hope and change.

The film owes most of its appeal to its ability to navigate some rather thorny post-race themes under the guise of a breezy social drama.

One of the most rewarding dimensions of Miss Juneteenth is the insightful manner with which Peoples guides the viewer through the world of the pageant itself.

A familiar but resonant film.

Godfrey’s character study has pacing issues, but Miss Juneteenth is a star-making vehicle for Nicole Beharie as Turquoise Jones that’s a grounded expression of motherhood you rarely see on screen.

Authentic performances from all of the actors helped propel this film to another level.