I’ve always appreciated black-and-white films, but when those colors become part of the story itself, that’s usually a sign of something special. *Passing* deals with the anxiety surrounding racial identity because of the film's setting, and it does so in a way that is unsettling and emotionally involving. Tessa Thompson (as Irene) portrays someone living within the Black community while Ruth Negga (as Clare) benefits from being able to present herself as white. A compelling story unfolds where Irene and Clare find themselves envious of each other; one longs for the other's apparent happiness, and the other feels guilty about not sharing the same values and ethics. I found myself feeling more sympathy for Irene’s pride in her identity, but I can also understand why Clare would want a better life without facing discrimination. Both women have their own struggles, but as their friendship develops, those issues become bigger and cause genuine pain, particularly for Tessa Thompson's character. The story seemed to lose momentum when it started emphasizing romantic jealousy over the racial issues at hand. Sometimes, the jumps in time felt too sudden and a little confusing. Ultimately, the ending didn’t quite live up to the film’s central theme or title, seeming to forget what it was meant to convey. Despite this, it remains an impressive film with a clear purpose. As expected, Tessa and Ruth give excellent performances, displaying a captivating, dynamic, even passionate connection, but André Holland, Alexander Skarsgård, and Bill Camp also do good work. The black-and-white cinematography sends a powerful message about how color isn't important (everyone looks the same in B&W), and it highlights the true value of morals and principles that define who someone is. As Rebecca Hall’s first time directing a feature film, she clearly demonstrates talent, but she needs to realize that "less is more." The cinematography from Edu Grau is beautiful and elegant. *Passing* marks a strong directorial debut for Rebecca Hall, though she should focus on just one core theme. Otherwise, such a visually stunning movie with outstanding acting risks losing its message amidst several unnecessary and superficial romantic subplots. Tessa Thompson and Ruth Negga move the story forward with charm and grace, as do all of the other actors, but their chemistry is so remarkable that I felt the slow pace was actually fitting. While the main plot explores the idea of “passing as white,” I found myself completely absorbed in the narrative and its contrasting characters. However, this fascinating subject gradually loses force, ultimately dissolving into an underwhelming story about jealousy between women, ending with a climax that feels somewhat misplaced and over-the-top. Even so, it was more engaging than I initially expected, and it still leaves viewers pondering what they would do in the same situation.

Source on TMDB