While perusing the interwebs, I stumbled upon a link to a Slate article listing “The 50 Greatest Films by Black Directors”. Of course, I was interested to see what made the list, so I clicked on it.
Blaxploitation flicks. Satires. Black and white films. Spike Lee Joints.
The video began rattling off titles by year, starting in 1920 (!) and working its way up. I saw some movies that are familiar, some that are not, and some that I plan on adding to my ever-growing “to watch” list. Did I mention a whole lot of Spike Lee Joints?
When I saw films like House Party, Boyz N The Hood, and Friday pop up on the list, I thought for sure that Set It Off would make the cut. The year of 1996 came and went, and there was not a single remnant of the F. Gary Gray classic anywhere.
I know there are a lot of movies that have been left off the list, but for it to be a collection of the “greatest” Black-directed films and to not include Set It Off, I was hurt and disappointed. In my eyes, it is one of the best Black movies EVER. Then, I remembered that many people do not see things the way I do… so as the film nears its 20-year anniversary, I feel obligated to share why I think F. Gary Gray’s Set It Off is more than just a played-out simile in rap songs.
First of all, Set It Off has FOUR STRONG AND COMPLEX BLACK WOMEN AS THE STARRING ROLES. Rare. This film, written by Kate Lanier and Takashi Bufford, perfectly captures the essence of these women in a gritty and unforgiving world that is real to many people but understood by few outside of it.
“We’re just taking from the system that’s f*cking us all anyway.” – Frankie
While not everyone’s first instinct is to rob banks, we are given believable motives as to why these women are driven to do what they do. Of course, MONEY is the main concern. The story skillfully sets up each character’s financial woes, breaking down their wants and dire needs in order to escape their Los Angeles community. While all four women talk about getting out of the hood, Stony (Jada Pinkett-Smith) is the only character that truly has a vision and taste of life outside of L.A. Sadly, the mental and financial trappings of these characters are accurate representations of many people’s real life situations in poor, Black communities. Stony is the light and a break in the poverty chain that gives viewers and those that can relate hope.
Stony: “What does our future look like? Where do you see yourself five years from now?”
Cleo: “I don’t know. And I don’t care. I ain’t thinkin’ about five years from now. I’m just trying to get through the day.”
With these characters and their situations, Set It Off gives the audience the feel of familiar issues and truths – friendship, money struggles, #BlackLove, death, greed – within personal stories that are very rarely seen in movies and other media. Even today, in a more diverse time for film and television, I can think of no other movie that is in the same vein, stylistically and story-wise, as the 20-year-old Set It Off. Nowadays, the only Black movies somewhat like this are straight-to-DVD, lost-in-the-depths-of-Netflix flops.
But that is all the more reason to celebrate the classics that we do have!
While I’m sure there are many other great movies that were left off of the “50 Greatest Films by Black Directors” list, I feel very passionate about spreading the gospel of Set It Off. It is just real, raw, and down-to-Earth. No extra.
Happy 20th to this underappreciated work of art. And its bangin’ soundtrack.
P.S. If I see anyone mention a Set It Off sequel, I’m swingin’ on sight.
the dopewoman 