Serafima Serafimova
On paper, The Dispute has ‘average’ written all over it. A by-the-numbers comedy centred around two best friends who get up to silly shenanigans in the first half, before learning an important life lesson in the second. Add to that its vertical framing -no doubt to the annoyance of the baby boomers in the audience – and the result should be a double-tap away from utterly forgettable. Yet Mikey Alfred’s comedy transcends its high concept through the brilliant lead performances, whip-smart humour, a genuine affection for the main characters and a talent for hitting the emotional targets without resorting to cheesy cliches.
The story follows Ebonie and Ryan – two best friends from South Central Los Angeles, who receive a pre-approved offer for an unlimited credit card in the post. Soon, the duo start to fantasise about what this money could mean and how it could change their lives by helping them rise above their current circumstances of limited financial means. However, when they attend a party hosted by a wealthy girl from Ryan’s school, they receive a sobering reality check and are forced to reevaluate what’s truly important in their lives.
“It was important to infuse this piece with honesty and humor while illuminating the beauty and diversity of the Black experience”
Co-written by Andrea Ellsworth and Kasey Elise Walker, who also star in the lead roles, The Dispute was largely based on the duo’s real life friendship. So much so that it features lines of dialogue taken straight from conversations they’ve had, and even a scene depicting something that happened to them in the past. “We wanted to create a tender and visceral piece that encompasses the many layers of our friendship contrasted beside our big hopes and dreams. It was important to infuse this piece with honesty and humor while illuminating the beauty and diversity of the Black experience”.
Now, as an Eastern European living in the UK, I’m not even going to attempt to analyse the film’s portrayal of the Black female experience in LA, but what I can appreciate and relate to is the chemistry between Ellsworth and Walker. The two actors are absolutely magnetic and what they create in front of the camera is nothing short of magical. Alfred has done well to harness this real life friendship and make it the pivotal point of the film. In doing so he has rejuvenated a tired formula for easy laughs and a lukewarm takeaway and transformed it into a genuinely funny (the granny scene snatching the crown for the best laugh-out-loud moment in the film) and heartwarming comedy.
“The film was shot over 2 days, vertically, on an Arri Alexa” – the filmmakers explain
The director has also embraced the strengths of the vertical frame, consistently drawing the eye up and down each cleverly composed shot and encouraging the audience to appreciate the characters without being distracted by their surroundings. And whilst I’m not quite ready to turn my TV on its side and embrace the aspect ratio as the future of cinema, I can admit that watching The Dispute makes for a novel experience that, unlike other attempts I’ve seen in the past, doesn’t feel gimmicky or simply pointless.
The Dispute is authentic, stylish as hell and thoroughly entertaining, and whilst the message at its core is a familiar one, it’s also hugely important and you’ll do well to be reminded of it every once in a while. And, if it just so happens to be by two formidable, jumpsuit-clad forces of nature, I’m certainly here for it!