I didn’t know what to expect when I pressed the ‘Play’ button on my remote, and I love that feeling. The only thing I heard about this movie was a small hype for Teyana Taylor‘s performance, but that was about it. I didn’t know anything else, and that is how I like to watch any movie with as little information as possible, with no ideas about what this movie is supposed to be, letting the film speak for itself. And this one speaks loudly.
This movie speaks so loudly that I don’t know how much I want to reveal, as there were a few elements to this story I wasn’t expecting, and then, there was the ending that I won’t lie; I didn’t see coming at all. A Thousand and One is one of those movies that explores people making questionable choices without judging them. And then, when you think you have been “tested” enough and know where this is going, something happens and shakes up everything, from your view of this situation to you and your core. It’s only towards the end that you discover that this film needs you to actively participate and re-evaluate everything you have seen.
It will be hard to talk about this movie without going into the spoiler territory, and as I am writing this review, I still haven’t decided whether I want to spoil this movie or not. Therefore, let’s talk about performances in the meantime. I know Teyana from Kanye’s video Fade, and I vaguely remember her tiny role in Coming 2 America (2021, my review here), so I was intrigued to see what all that fuss was about, and yeah, she was great. I am not sure whether I would start campaigning on her behalf for something like an Oscar nomination, but she was definitely strong in this role.
Her character, Inez, is one of those people who is tough to watch at times due to her decisions, but you understand that at any given point, she is doing the best she can. From the very beginning, the movie sets up everything where we see her leaving Rikers and understand that she’s had it tough for her entire life. It is at this point where she encounters her six-year-old son and decides to kidnap him from foster care. That is not a spoiler, by the way, as that is the official synopsis of this movie on IMDb. We then watch her trying to give them some sort of life as New York changes.
That was one of those things I didn’t expect, and I don’t think it’s a spoiler to say, how the movie jumps in time a couple of times, covering around 15 years of living in New York and how everything around our protagonists changes, mainly politically and with changes, there are new, often racially motivated, challenges. The movie never spends too much time telling you what exactly is happening; it shows it to you effectively. One thing I loved about A Thousand and One was how it deals with politics by not being political at all. You won’t hear any cheap and simple shots at any politician, policies, etc. The movie treats it as fact and shows how Inez and her community are affected by those new laws and policies. And how people within this movie simply had to adjust and, unfortunately, make it part of their life.
Regarding other performances, I liked how natural Aaron Kingsley Adetola was. I enjoyed how vulnerable Aven Courtney was. And I understood everything about Josiah Cross. All three played Inez’s son Terry throughout different ages, and they all brought something unique to this role whilst helping you understand how and why Terry would grow up into the person he became at the end of this movie. I also enjoyed William Catlett despite not necessarily liking his character Lucky, even though he had his bright moments.
And that is where the cookie crumbles. How willing are you not only to watch flawed characters, but, more importantly, try to understand where everyone is coming from? And when you think you are finally at a place where you seem to have everything and everyone figured out, the movie hits you, and it hits you hard. Ok, I have decided it’s a spoiler time. I can’t NOT talk about it.
Beware, SPOILERS are coming!
After A Thousand and One finished, I immediately thought of Gone Baby Gone (2007). Both movies leave you pondering a moral dilemma you can discuss at length. You come to terms with everything Inez has done, and then we learn that Terry isn’t even Inez’s son. He wasn’t abandoned by her when he was two, as we were led to believe she found him there. And now, his character has to deal with not knowing who he is, the fact his parents left him at that corner totally alone, and also, how Inez never told him that. The final scene hits hard and has so much going in it when we see only Inez and Terry and how he eventually grabs her hand, as a son would. Yet, deep down, we know it won’t be easy moving forward, emotionally, practically, legally…
I think this movie will play much better on rewatch. A Thousand and One is one of those movies I wasn’t clicking fully with for most of the film, as I must repeat again; it’s hard to sympathise with someone such as Inez, even if you understand where she is coming from. But as the movie progressed, I was in it, and when that twist happened, it made me realise how complex of a character she is. Does one good deed justify everything else she did? That’s up to everyone to decide for themselves, especially when the “good deed” itself can be discussed, given Inez’s circumstances and struggles. Again, no matter where you land on this movie, there is a hefty debate that could take place, and I enjoy movies like these.
Overall, A Thousand and One is a fascinating movie I ended up liking, and it may end up even higher on any potential rewatch due to my knowledge of the complete story and all the twists and turns. I liked the idea and the concept, and all the performances were great; I will definitely be on the lookout for Teyana and what she decides to make next. Would I recommend this movie? Yes, if you can handle following characters that are hard, if not impossible, to root for. And for the moral dilemma this movie talks about.
That’s all for this one! Did you see it? What did you think about it? Let me know!
Until next time,
Luke
