Harlem Renaissance: A 1972 Magical Evening

The film "Is God Is" explores a vital celebration of the Harlem Renaissance through a magical evening in 1972.

Fraternal twins Racine and Anaia, survivors of abusive foster care and marked by scars from defending their mother, are driven by a mission from their dying mother: kill their father. Their father previously set their mother ablaze, an event that also scarred the twins.

Their journey across the American South mirrors a classic hero's quest, encountering figures like a charismatic healer and their half-brother. They obtain their father's address book, leading them to his lawyer and eventually his new family.

The narrative powerfully reflects the inherent dysfunction in many Black American families, where external exploitation impacts family dynamics. The patriarch's inability to take responsibility for his violence is highlighted, underscoring societal pressures on Black women.

Adapted from Aleshea Harris's play, the film retains a theatrical rhythm. While performances, particularly Sterling K. Brown's as the sinister patriarch, are strong, the visual execution is described as flat, leaving the film feeling short of greatness.