Pretty Red Dress
Welcome to Breakout, the MASSIVE scheme sending 12 first-time writers to London Film Festival to write their debut professional film reviews. For the 12 days following the 12 days of the festival, we’ll be publishing the writing of our chosen stars to celebrate cinema at its finest and introduce you to the next generation’s most promising new critics.
Next up, London’s Sabrina Fearon Melville reviews Pretty Red Dress.
A family struggles to adapt to a young man being released from prison in the compelling London-set Pretty Red Dress. World-shifting secrets give a great challenge to Alexandra Burke, Temilola Olatunbosun and Natey Jones thanks to Dionne Edwards’ heartfelt film about Black masculinity and complex gender roles in Caribbean culture.
Jones’ character, Travis, is fighting against himself. He’s desperate to reconnect with his longtime girlfriend, Candice, played by the talented Burke, who it would appear has enough to deal with as their daughter Kenisha (Olatunbosun) is at that fun pre-teen stage of adolescence. Several scenes see the two come to blows, which are delivered excellently by Burke.
Candice wishes to be on the stage and has been invited to audition for the role of the legendary Tina Turner. Burke performs two classic Turner numbers – showing off her longtime talent on stage – one in a stunning, sequinned red dress. It’s this red dress that Travis finds so compelling, so much so, that one day whilst home alone he tries it on in a breathtaking scene. These moments of intimacy framed Travis’ internal struggle of what masculinity means to men who may present as traditionally masculine.
Seduced by the dress’ allure and femininity, Travis tries it on again this time with a full face of make-up and is caught by both Candice and Kenisha, which sparks a further trail of lies and secrets forcing the entire family to reckon with their thoughts on what it means to be a man.
These scenes are fraught with tension – you can see the fear in Travis’ eyes as he believes that his girlfriend will leave him, his brother will expose him and that he’ll never reconnect with his daughter. All because of a pretty red dress.
Pretty Red Dress looks at family and masculinity from a Black perspective, as honesty and vulnerability define Travis in the way he finally comes to terms with his freedom. It’s something to be celebrated and applauded.
Sabrina is a freelance arts and culture writer, who loves all things film. When not working on articles she is an event photographer and a parent to both a dog and cat. Her comfort film is Moonrise Kingdom.
The UK release date for Pretty Red Dress is yet to be confirmed. Check back here for more Breakout reviews.