A fascinating and beautiful movie set in New York in the 1920s. Based on Nella Larsen’s 1929 novel, the story centers around two friends, both black, who have once again found each other through a brief encounter in a hotel tea room.
Irene (Tessa Thompson) has gone out for the day, attempting to pass as white. A mother of two boys, she is married to a doctor and is living a comfortable life in Harlem. She runs into her old friend Clare (Ruth Negga), although not recognizing her at first, and the two go off Clare’s room and politely reacquaint themselves with each other. Clare is also passing as white. But while Irene’s passing is but for an afternoon, Clare is living her life as white. She and her white husband have a young girl.
As they sit in Clare’s hotel room sipping from a flask, Clare’s husband returns. He has no idea that Clare is black and emphasizes how he hates negros. Irene, who he also believes is white, says nothing of Clare’s secret and leaves. Irene wants nothing more to do with Clare. But Clare is persistent and shows up at Irene’s house in Harlem after writing several unanswered letters. And it is this relationship, this friendship, that takes us on this journey. We are viewing this primarily from Irene’s perspective.
The movie, shot in black and white, follows this relationship as the two women seem to struggle with their well-to-do lives. There is a great deal in this story as it deals with race, racism, sexuality, and gender among others. It is masterfully presented by writer and director Rebecca Hall. Highly recommended.