Premium

Premium is a romantically drenched drama exploring the realms of independent filmmaking, acting, and love. It is driven with a vibrant energy blessed with compelling performances and a passionate portrayal of creativity, commitment, and the struggle to triumph over setbacks. The movie, directed by Pete Chatmon, released in 2006, features Dorian Missick, Zoe Saldana, and Hill Harper, showcasing a heartrending narrative that grapples with love, aspiration, and the dream of reconnecting with one's unfulfilled past.

The storyline follows the life of Reginald "Cool" Coolidge (Dorian Missick), who is an actor based in New York waiting for his big break. Struggling to earn his spot in Hollywood, Coolidge is primarily given the role of "Pimp" on a series of commercials, much to his dismay. However, despite his limited acting career, Coolidge finds himself still cherishing hope, clinging to his creativity, and incredibly, still pursuing his dream. He is a visionary, stuck between his aspiration to break through the stereotypical roles handed to African American actors and his need to pay his bills.

This story jumps into another dimension when Coolidge crosses paths with his long-lost love - Charli (Zoe Saldana). Charli, an old flame from Coolidge's past when they were high school sweethearts, seems to have moved on successfully in life. Now engaged to a well-established doctor, Ed (Hill Harper), Charli has built a comfortable life for herself that doesn't necessarily hinge upon dreams and aspirations but leans more towards security and comfort. However, her reconnection with Coolidge stirs up old feelings and memories, threatening to reopen chapters she long since thought she'd moved on from.

Zoe Saldana, playing her role compellingly, offers a fantastic portrayal of an emotionally torn character. Charli is a woman in-between choices, finding herself stuck between an old romance and a current relationship. She is torn between her comfort zone and the wild dreams she once had. Saldana captures the emotional turmoil with a balance between subtlety and profound emotional expression, ensuring that the complexity of Charli's character never falters or fades away.

Dorian Missick, as Coolidge, gives an intriguing performance, as he brings to life a character that is not only piercingly real but intensely human. Coolidge is passionate, frustrated, and commitment-phobic. He stubbornly clings to his dream while simultaneously battling with his fear of failure, resulting in a character that is both flawed and empathetic. Missick’s portrayal remains consistently gripping, maintaining an authentic depiction of struggling actors continually striving for a big break.

On the other hand, Hill Harper, playing Charli's successful doctor fiancé, Ed, exhibits the students' robust and unfaltering characteristics. The character is presented as starkly contrasting from Coolidge, providing a well-rounded depiction of Charli's cornered love life. Harper's performance shines through as it unveils the nuances of a professional man who may not be chasing dreams, but is vying for love and emotional contentment.

The film, Premium, heavily offers a immerse experience into the world of acting, the harsh realities of the industry, and the toll it takes on an individual - artistically and emotionally. It also beautifully captures the essence of love - young and old, lost and found, secure and wild. It's a splendidly woven narrative extending beyond the confines of a love story or a breaking-into-Hollywood narration. The complexity of its storytelling is its highlight, casting light on individual dreams, past regrets, future anxieties, present dilemmas, and the constant struggle to keep one's head above water.

In conclusion, Premium is an immersive experience that dives deep into the trials, tribulations, choices, and sacrifices of individuals in their pursuit of their unfathomable dreams. It successfully combines elements of romance, comedy, and drama to tell a heartfelt story about self-fulfillment, boundless dreams, and relentless persistence. Its superior acting, compelling characters, and layered storytelling make it a film worth watching.