 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (November 2020) |
| Alex Wheatle | |
|---|---|
 Publicity poster with still from Alex Wheatle. Note that the actors named at the top appear in other Small Axe films, not this one. | |
| Written by | Steve McQueen Alastair Siddons |
| Directed by | Steve McQueen |
| Country of origin | United Kingdom |
| Original language | English |
| Production | |
| Running time | 66 minutes |
| Original release | |
| Network | BBC One |
| Release | 6 December 2020 |
Alex Wheatle is a 2020 historical drama film directed by Steve McQueen and co-written by McQueen and Alastair Siddons. It stars Sheyi Cole as Alex Wheatle, a Black British novelist who was sentenced to a term of imprisonment after the 1981 Brixton uprising. The film was released as part of the anthology series Small Axe on BBC One on 6 December 2020 and on Amazon Prime Video on 11 December 2020.[1]
Plot
[edit]After enduring a childhood in a predominantly white foster home devoid of love or familial bonds, Alex Wheatle, a young Black man, finds himself in Brixton. Here, he not only experiences a sense of community for the first time in his life but also uncovers a profound passion for music. However, Brixton proves to be a tinderbox, and following the three days of unrest in April 1981, he is incarcerated. Yet, within the confines of prison, Alex stumbles upon unexpected opportunities. Encouraged by his fellow inmate Simeon to broaden his horizons, the young man discovers a love for literature and begins to cultivate a certain level of education.[2][3]
Cast
[edit]- Sheyi Cole as Alex Wheatle
- Asad-Shareef Muhammad as Young Alex Wheatle
- Robbie Gee as Simeon
- Johann Myers as Cutlass Rankin
- Jonathan Jules as Dennis Isaacs
- Elliot Edusah as Valin
- Khali Best as Badger
- Fumilayo Brown-Olateju as Dawn
- Dexter Flanders as Floyd
Reception
[edit]On review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds an approval rating of 97% based on 43 critic reviews, with an average rating of 7.4/10. The website's critics consensus reads, "Sheyi Cole shines in Alex Wheatle, a harrowing biopic that barely scratches the surface of a complex life, but does so with empathy and finesse."[4] Metacritic assigned the film a weighted average score of 77 out of 100, based on 17 critics, indicating "generally favorable reviews".[5]
References
[edit]- ^ Kanter, Jake (7 October 2020). "'Small Axe': Steve McQueen's Anthology Drama Gets BBC Premiere Date". Deadline. Retrieved 29 November 2020.
- ^ Lucy Popescu: Small Axe: Alex Wheatle review. In: cine-vue.com, 6. Dezember 2020.
- ^ Todd McCarthy (29 November 2020). "Film Review: Steve McQueen's 'Alex Wheatle' From 'Small Axe' Anthology". Deadline.com. Retrieved 21 October 2021.
- ^ "Alex Wheatle (2020)". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved 18 December 2020.
- ^ "Alex Wheatle Reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved 18 December 2020.
External links
[edit]- Alex Wheatle at IMDb
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