Sundance Movie Review: 'A Thousand And One' Celebrates Family Joy, Turmoil
January 27 (UPI) -- A Thousand and One , a touching story about a family, won the Grand Jury Award for American Drama at the Sundance Film Festival. The story is based on the backdrop of the changes that New York went through from 1994 to 2004.
22-year-old Ines (Teyana Taylor) left Ryker Island in 1994. He secretly takes his 6-year-old son Terry (Aaron Kingsley Adetola) from a foster family to Harlem.
A Thousand and One depicts the life of a single mother and her son over the years. Inez eventually meets Loki (William Catlett), who is initially repulsed by his son's desires, but comes and lives in their lives.
First, Ines receives new emails via a link. He and Terry live under new names, the reception system won't find them, but at home their names are still Terry and Ines.
There are many frustrating moments when Ines cannot get the help she needs. He can be fickle and explode like any other person when his needs are out of his control.
But a thousand and one strength lies in focusing on the rest. Ines, Terry and Lucky live together, Ines cooks, Loki goes shopping and plays ball with Terry.
These are the moments that give Enzi the strength to continue fighting and star in many other dramatic films. A thousand and one shows that you don't have to choose one or the other.
Inez, the conversation between Terry and Lucky rings true. They tactfully, but not without reason, use the “N” word and swear when tension builds.
Their apartment in Harlem is very nice. Kitchen tiles endure the 90s and finally feel at home.
Over the years, the house needs renovation, which has to be rented. Ines can't move, so they have to do it until they are completely broken. This is also a practical objection that many take for granted.
The trip to Harlem coincides with Mayor Rudy Giuliani's campaign to clean up the city's streets. Since the late 1990s, route 42 has been specially commissioned for restoration.
Since 2001, Avon Courtney and Josiah Cross have played Terri at ages 13 and 17. Terry has an audio report of the new police surveillance and police brutality playing in the background.
First of all, Mayor Michael Bloomberg is making additional changes. A Thousand and One offers a captivating look at local events from Terry and Inez's point of view.
People in the area seem to be seeing a change. However, they must focus on their lifestyle when the surroundings around them change.
Inez encourages Terry to attend a school for children with special needs, and Terry starts dating. A fake social security number becomes a big problem as you approach adulthood and get a job.
He manages to capture a thousand and one great times and places and especially personal stories. The scenes are raw enough to touch the strings of the heart, while not forgetting about the characters. They seem real.
Focus Features will hit theaters on March 31, The Thousand and One .
Fred Topple, who attended Ithaca College Film School, is a Los Angeles-based showbiz writer for UPI. He has been a professional film critic since 1999, a Rotten Tomatoes critic since 2001, and a member of the Television Critics Association since 2012. Learn more about his career in the entertainment industry.
