Is Praise Song Worth Watching? Honest Movie Review & Audience Verdict (2021)

📖 The Core Premise

Praise Song stands as a 2021 entry that attempts to leave its mark on the Drama landscape. At its heart, the film explores complex themes wrapped in a compelling storyline. As the plot unfolds, we see characters navigating a world where stakes are high. "“In 2015, Jason Silverman and Samba Gadjigo released the acclaimed feature documentary SEMBÈNE!, on the life and career of Ousmane Sembène. For the following short documentary, the filmmakers have assembled footage from interviews that were not included in the original film, including musician Youssou N’Dour, activist and author Angela Davis, author Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o, filmmaker Clarence Delgado, and filmmaker and scholar Manthia Diawara” (Criterion Collection)."

🎬 Performance & Direction

A movie's success often hinges on its execution. Unfortunately, Angela Davis feels underutilized in a role that lacks depth. The direction aims to balance pacing with character development, a hallmark of good Drama. While there are moments of brilliance, the pacing occasionally dips.

🤔 Why You Should Watch (or Skip)

Is Praise Song worth your time? If you appreciate Drama films that take risks, this is likely a decent one-time watch. However, if you are looking for a flawless masterpiece, you might find some plot points predictable.

🏆 Final Verdict

Ultimately, Praise Song misses the mark on several fronts. With a runtime of 16 minutes, it asks for a significant time investment, but for the right audience, it pays off.

Our recommendation: Skip It.