The Harder They Fall

The Harder They Fall directed by Jeymes Samuel is a thrilling Black Western!

The film starts out with Tarantino vibes and a soundtrack that juxtaposes the traditional Western film genre in a brilliant way. Jamaican artist Koffee delivers the film score title track The Harder They Fall click here to watch the music video.

Jeymes Samuel and Boaz Yakin craft multiple stories lines that eventually collide in an ultimate shootout brawl in the center of town, sticking true to certain Western Film elements. That’s exactly what makes this film so great; when Jeymes and Boaz chose to stick to script within the genre and when and why they break away. If you are dying to watch the film trailer it is attached here. However, I challenge you to not watch the trailer and dive right into the film. In fact, why are you reading this?! Go watch it and then, come back to me!

It’s hard to keep your eyes off Regina King, as she steals the show playing Trudy Smith. Trudy is a smart, loyal, cunning, character with strength that matches her wit. Regina’s career started with the television show 227 (1985), followed by a role in Boyz n the Hood (1991). I still laugh when I see her play the ambulance driving sister in How Stella Got Her Groove Back. As a long-time fan of Regina King, we pridefully watch her kickass in the role of Trudy Smith. It’s also beautiful to see that Jeymes Samuel created powerful female roles that represent real women in the West and all around the world.

Trudy Smith’s counterpoint in rivalry is Mary Feilds played by actress Zazie Beets, Her name is pronounced Zah-SEE (similar to the Bee in Beethoven). Zazie was born in Berlin, she is known for her roles in Atlanta (2016) and Deadpool (2018). Zazie’s character Mary Feilds in The Harder They Fall makes a grand entrance within her own saloon. She is a strong female in her own right. Mary isn't cunning like Trudy, but wise in business and somewhat in love; although both get a little muddled as she branches out to help Nat Love who comes back into town unexpectedly.

Regina King and Zazi Beets play off each other well in each scene they hold together. Two favorites involve the peeling of an apple and the dodging of fabrics and knives.

Nat Love is seeking revenge as classic as each Western from Yellowstoneto Tombstone. (What’s with all the stones?) It’s exciting to see how the Western Genre is morphing yet holding its ground in themes such as revenge. Nat Love’s character has much in common with the protagonists in No Country for Old Men, Hell or High Water, Wind River, and The Revenant.

Nat Love is not only seeking revenge since childhood, (“...My name is Inigo Montoya… prepare to die”) but is also trying to win over the love of Mary Feilds. Nat is played by the phenomenal actor Jonathan Michael Majors who stole my heart as a fan for life in the film The Last Black Man in San Francisco. Nat Love leads his gang of cowboys with honor, care, and sacrifice. He’s our protagonist to the bitter end, where our eyes fill with tears and our hearts grow three sizes as we empathize with his character. Bravo to the incredible performance given by Jonathan Majors.

Nat Love fights against a band of villains: Monroe Grimes played by Damon Wayans Jr., Wiley Escoe played by comedian Deon Cole (if you haven’t heard his comedic DM shout-outs on Instagram, I highly recommend a listen); and Bass Reeves played by Delroy Lindo (the glorious father in Spike Lee’s film Crooklyn), who ends up siding with Nat.

Cherokee Bill played by LaKeith Stanfield, is the fastest gunslinger in the West. His plotline builds with suspenseful craft. The audience almost forgets to root against him as we want to see his gunslinging skills at their very best. If you haven’t seen him in Get Out or my favorite The Photograph it needs to be added to your queue immediately.

There are many other actors who help create this masterful film but I’m going to leave you with just one more, the one and only Idris Elba playing the character of Rufus Buck.

The train sequence demonstrates how his loyal subjects will risk anything for their ruthless leader. Rufus Buck is not solely made up of greed, but actually wants to create a town that others will thrive to become like in the future. Jeymes Samuel frames actor Idris’ body into each scene with strength, and mass. Idris uses his acting skills to generate energetic power to capture the audience, for instance when sitting within his own bar, calmly addressing Mary Feilds. Not only does Rufus Buck hold intelligence but the audience is able to empathize with him on a few levels and it becomes harder to root against him as the plot carries on.

I would be amiss to not recognize how beautiful this cast is. Victoria Thomas the casting director knew the audience would thank her for pulling these handsome men and lovely ladies together. Antoinette Messam costume designer and the 27 members of the makeup department not only made the cast sexy, and mysterious, but the scars of battle were true to form.

This film is made up of all Black actors as the main storyline. This film has its own story to tell. When Black voices tell their own story, we move past narratives of black vs white, and stereotypes. This film shows the progression of Black cinema, and American cinema. I'm excited to see what's next to come from Jeymes Samuel.

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