It seems like every other movie I see is really weird. I don't know if this generation's filmmakers are creatively branching out or I just seek out strange films, although it's probably a bit of both.
"Sorry to Bother You" is about Cassius "Cash" Green, a man working a lowly telemarketing job with his friends who think they are getting underpaid. Everything changes as Green hones his craft through the development of a "white voice", which allows him to start making a lot of sales. However, as he moves through the ranks, he leaves his former workers and remorse behind in order to achieve "success".
This film seems like it's marketed as a comedy. While this film is very funny at times, I took the film as more of a silly quasi-futuristic piece with some very serious moments. At times, the world this film projects feels like a more realistic and straight version of "Idiocracy", wherein the stupider characters are replaced with more artsy ones. This artsiness does get in the way of the bigger picture, though; "Sorry to Bother You" doesn't take itself seriously enough to have the emotional weight it should've.
Despite what you may have heard, this film isn't mainly about racism. Sure, the inciting incident is racial and there is a lot of race-related elements going on in the workplace, but I don't think that's point of this film. The concept this film presents is an updated tale about the American Dream. Cash's "white voice" is not literally about race; how Cash speaks symbolizes a change in attitude. Most people only want to make a change to the system when they're not the ones benefiting. Cash sells out and becomes engrossed with the money he craves, which isn't an entirely original idea. However, the way "Sorry to Bother You" enacts this change of heart is very believable and relevant.
Even though I think this film is getting a little too much credit from critics, there is still a lot to enjoy about this film. The soundtrack is very poppy, groovy, distorted and experimental. I really enjoyed how it sounds indie yet trendy, which matches how this future is presented. The standout performance in this film has to be Lakeith Stanfield, who I had recognized from small roles in "Get Out" and "Straight Outta Compton". His performance as Cash is very subdued, but he is a very relatable character. In fact, this entire film feels very real. Every main character has a distinct personality that isn't exaggerated to the point where the performances become too cartoonish. The characters all feel like real people set in a slightly fictional reality, which is why the film is so relatable.
As I sort of touched on before, this film's tone is a bit too inconsistent for my liking. "Sorry to Bother You" has a style that is artistic, playful, and somewhat goofy. However, the film's relevant socio-political message is very serious and even scary in the context of how this world works. When these two styles blend, the result is much more conflicting than satisfying. Maybe this would have worked better if the film felt more segmented, as the film does have a pretty definitive moment that changes the direction of the plot.
"Sorry to Bother You" wraps up its story in a messy way. The third act contains a few highlight moments from the film, but it also has a lot of the weakest plot elements. I think the ending should have been a bit more morose for the message the film is trying to convey. When this film does take a turn towards the beginning of the third act, there are two decisions the main character can take. I think the movie would have been a lot more powerful if Cash chose the other option, but I understand why the film goes in this direction. With the decision Cash chooses, the plot doesn't fully explore the implications of what would happen in the real world. For a while, I thought "Sorry to Bother You" was going to say something very significant and unique about the system we live in. This was a fallacy, though; the film rushed itself to a conclusion when it should have made this finale the most important and drawn-out part of the movie. The last big scene felt very basic and out of place, like it should have been in a completely different movie. As I already stated, this movie has a lot of realism with character motivations, but the ending felt a little bit empty and underwhelming. Movies are supposed to be entertaining and interesting, after all; realness is not always the perfect fit.
Besides my issues with the ending, there are also some problems with the editing in the film. The lip synching on the main actor is so poor because Cash often moves his lips very subtly when he speaks. This is kind of a nitpick, but it's extremely noticeable and took me out of the experience a few times. There are a few awkward editing transitions as well. There are a lot of good intentions to make this film stand out, but it doesn't really benefit the piece as a whole.
All in all, "Sorry to Bother You" is an odd, quirky delight. The film does have a few flaws, but it is definitely worth your time to check out if you're interested. However, if you are hoping this film would have a substantive message, I can't say these themes fleshed out enough to satisfy serious viewers. "Sorry to Bother You" had the opportunity to be something really special, but it just ended up being pretty good.
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