I-Light Media
Jordan Walker Perlman (center) after the premier.
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- Jason McDonald
Jordan Walker Perlman premiers his new film Constellation
By Jason McDonald, I-Light Media
Atlanta, Georgia found its way in the stars as BlackFilm.com and the BMW Film series premiered Jordan Walker Pearlman's latest film Constellation. Pearlman, the creative force behind The Visit, once again delivers a poignant drama about the delicate relationships fathers have with their daughters. Gabrielle Union steps into the role as Carmel the former family matriarch who reaches out from the beyond to help her younger brother Helms (Billy Dee Williams) put tragedy behind him in order to connect with his daughters Lucy (Melissa De Sousa) and Rosa (Zoe Saldana).
Pearlman also takes the time to explore the relationships half-sisters Lucy and Rosa experience with each other, friends, men and their mothers. The film in pre-edited form challenges the audiences emotions with raw portrayals from a multi-racial cast. Though not a full blown tear jerker, viewers immediately begin searching themselves for a connection with the characters. It is that connection that Pearlman seeks to meet his audience. The audience is where the energy comes from to love and the reason you make movies like this Pearlman spoke to the mostly full Rialto Theatre prior to the movie's showing.
With all the quality performances turned in by the stockpile of veteran actors cast in the movie, Saldana had the biggest breakout. She completely disintegrated the buppy twenty-something typecast role with a convincing performance as the sullen daughter desperately in need of an exhale. Except for one scene that will probably get lost on the cutting room floor, Saldana handles the emotional roller-coaster without being so over the top that it loses its connection with reality.
Pearlman succeeded in his intent to shoot a glamorous movie at a heightened reality. But he does so with an almost malicious intent. The allure in this film is in the hope that everyone finds the solace they search for. Only the search treads through some very painful stuff that aches the soul as much as the heart. One can't help but stay transfixed on Helms trembling fingers as if they symbolize his fight for redemption in his daughters eyes.
Very little of this movie fails to collide with at least one emotion. Even silence is used to create mood shifts. By the film's end you are left in an emotional state that closely reflects your circumstance. The one singular emotion that was constant throughout the Atlanta premier audience was that of satisfaction.
Constellation
Produced and directed by Jordan Walker-Pearlman; written by Mr. Walker-Pearlman. Producer Shannon Murphy, Executive Producer Nancy Archuleta, Executive Producer Gabe Nieto, Executive Producer Peter Kleidman, Executive Producer -Kristi Gamble, Executive Producer-Morris Ruskin, Music Supervisor-Howie Dorough.
The Cast
Ever Carradine (Celeste Korngold), David Clennon (Bear),Rae Dawn Chong (Jenita), Melissa De Sousa (Lucy Boxer), Hill Harper (Errol Hickman), Alec Newman (Kent), Zoe Saldana (Rosa Boxer), Lesley Ann Warren (Nancy Boxer), Billy Dee Williams(Helms Boxer), Gabrielle Union (Carmel Boxer), Daniel Bess (Young Bear), Clarence Williams III (Forrest Boxer).