Little Boxes

Little Boxes is a 2016 independent drama-comedy film that uniquely captures the nuances and challenges of adapting to a new environment. The film boasts an amazing cast including Melanie Lynskey, Nelsan Ellis, and Armani Jackson who provide stellar performances, bringing their characters to life with a display of rich emotions and substantial depth.

Directed by Rob Meyer and impeccably written by Annie J. Howell, the movie’s title, Little Boxes, derives from a 1960s folk song and stands as a metaphor for the challenges that come with societal conformity and stereotyping. Howell’s thought-provoking script tells a story that seamlessly transitions from lighthearted to intense.

The narrative revolves around an interracial family – Ginny (a neurotic but well-meaning mother portrayed by Melanie Lynskey), Mack (the wise but tolerant father played by Nelsan Ellis), and their smart yet easily influenced son, Clark (portrayed by Armani Jackson). They relocate from the cultural whirlwind of New York City to a predominantly white, suburban town in Washington State for Mack’s new job.

The film successfully illuminates their struggle of attempting to fit into the new society while also preserving their identity. The move brings forth feelings of isolation, and the linear narrative of the movie is interspersed with incidents that make the audience realize the less overt, yet deeply ingrained racial and cultural stereotypes inherent in society.

A huge chunk of the film is seen through the eyes of young Clark, who is navigating through the changes around him and trying to adapt while also battling with his adolescence. Armani Jackson delivers a powerful performance, effortlessly demonstrating Clark's vulnerability and determination to fit in despite the many awkward and discomforting encounters he experiences.

Lynskey’s character, Ginny, faces her own set of challenges. As a freelance journalist, her work-from-home status amplifies her sense of isolation. Melanie's performance reveals a character that is slightly neurotic yet completely caring and protective of her family. She and her on-screen husband, Mack, tell a compelling story about balancing career, family and the transitions that come with the move.

As played by Nelsan Ellis, Mack is a multidimensional character, who is a dedicated husband and father, and a professor trying to settle into a small college environment. Mack's journey as a black academic in a predominantly white neighborhood explores themes of race and societal pressure.

These three main characters bring forth a genuine take on how suburban conformity can affect diverse individuals. The performances in Little Boxes are its strength, with the actors masterfully displaying the subtleties of their characters, making them relatable and real.

The director, Rob Meyer, does a commendable job of displaying the uncertainty, disorientation, and identity struggles that the characters undergo. The setting of a peaceful suburban town is crafted so meticulously that it arguably becomes a character of its own. The ambience sets the tone for the narrative and greatly contributes to the storytelling.

Little Boxes is further enriched by a lively soundtrack that manages to capture the highs and lows of the characters' emotions. The film successfully uses music to underscore its theme and enhance the audience's emotional connectivity with the movie.

In conclusion, Little Boxes is a poignant film that explores the themes of identity, belonging, and change through the eyes of an interracial family adapting to a new neighborhood. Except for the recurring theme of culture shock and identity crisis, the film refrains from explicit sermonizing about race, allowing audiences to derive their conclusions from the narrative's subtleties. It’s a worthwhile watch for its honest representation of transition challenges, captured through robust performances, intuitive writing, and relatable characters.