Chris Rock’s latest directorial feature definitely makes a point, but left me wanting more.
Misty Green is an astute and aware exploration of the darker, harsher side of Los Angeles and Hollywood itself, from writer/director Chris Rock. It functions as a character study on an actress past her prime, consumed by obstacles and bad decisions, all the while exploring her potential for a comeback and second act in her career.
It stars Rosalind Eleazar in a great performance as the titular character. Once the star of a highly successful television show which maintains a big following, she’s fallen on hard times. She’s consumed by the habits of addiction, struggling to make ends meet while also balancing the issue of her brother’s bipolar disorder. You find yourself invested in her journey, following along, and even rooting for her, hoping she figures things out as she’s starting to get chances to do something meaningful in the industry again.
Filmmaker Chris Rock is not only an immensely humorous comedian and actor, but as a filmmaker and storyteller, he is very aware of the continuing brutality of Hollywood toward women and minorities. These themes are even reflected in his own character, playing a supporting role in the film as a struggling filmmaker.
Despite this film’s qualities, not only with its poignant themes but even its effective character study, it left me desiring more. Its scope is capturing a lot. Beyond its look into faded stardom, it’s exploring the real reality that we still have so much work to do when it comes to mental health. The latter aspect is so well embodied by the character of Jordan, Misty’s brother, played by Daniel Kaluuya.
I feel this story could’ve been a television series. The character of Misty herself could’ve gotten at least three seasons’ worth of television. With so much being brought to the table, I feel 110 minutes just wasn’t enough to have a fully explored realization of what this film was expressing. Its point is clearly made, and it continually makes itself present, but I feel whether it’s a miniseries or even multiple seasons of television, there is so much more we could have gotten out of this. I did find myself wondering if Chris Rock initially pitched this as a television series.
