Review of Gray Matter

Gray Matter (2023)
3/10
It
27 July 2023
While watching the current Project Greenlight I was aware from watching that there were several problems with the script and story. However I didn't realize just how poorly put together this film was until actually watching it. The director, first time at a feature film, Miko Winbush, refused to listen to experienced producers offering to help her fix the script through notes given to her in regard to explaining who these characters were, their world, who was in it and how they got there.

We're told that a mother and daughter are psionics, people who can use their minds to do all kinds of things, from making things move to injuring people. The mother keeps her daughter from literally everybody and says it's because she's not ready. Ready for what though? And we're told they are being pursued, but not told why and not a word about why "they" are dangerous. You only get an inking of what's occurring in this world by the time you get to the end, and unfortunately, most viewers would probably turn it off before then.

The beautiful photography and great acting in this film could not save it from the disaster that Winbush made it. I have heard actors say they can be the best in the business but it will be for nothing if you don't have a director who can tell the story. Editing helps too but Winbush couldn't be bothered to be with her editor every day like she should have been. But even the best editor couldn't have saved this film.

The producers and HBO really should have fired the director early on and brought in one of the other finalists when it was obvious that Winbush was not really a team player as she refused to take responsibility and be open to the suggestions that more experienced people were sending her way.
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