“Passing,” an adaptation of Nella Larsen’s 1929 novel, is a visually striking and polished film. The movie is stunning in its appearance, and Tessa Thompson and Ruth Negga give truly wonderful performances. Rebecca Hall's subtle direction contributes to the film's beauty, as does Eduard Grau’s handsome black and white cinematography. There are many things to appreciate about this project, but you might hear some people describe it as “nuanced” — which is really just a way of saying that it’s dull. The story begins with Irene, a well-off Black woman (Thompson), entering an upscale tearoom in a luxurious New York City hotel. She notices a blonde woman (Negga) looking directly at her across the table. It turns out they knew each other previously, and circumstances have reunited them. Both women are Black but possess light skin tones; Clare has leveraged her appearance to present herself as white. They both grapple with finding their place in a society that isn’t particularly welcoming to those who differ. It's a narrative brimming with complicated themes, yet the final product is largely uneventful. There simply isn't much of a plot to be found, and important issues like gender, identity, class, and race as a constructed performance are mishandled in an uninspired package. The film holds back on its social commentary, which is disappointing because it had all the potential to make a powerful statement. Hall’s direction is skillful, and she elicits strong performances from Negga and Thompson. However, the movie feels padded out to two hours when the slim story could have been told in much less time. There are numerous scenes of prolonged stares and awkward silences that drag on the pacing, including one sequence that felt like almost three minutes long just showing someone taking off a coat. I entered “Passing” with great anticipation, but I’m left feeling as though this adaptation was a missed chance to convey a more significant and impactful message.

Source on TMDB