A Thousand and One (2023) — Movie Review

The Grand Jury Prize at the recent Sundance festival was somewhat unexpectedly bagged by A.V. Rockwell's "A Thousand and One." Major films like "CODA" and "Whiplash" have claimed this award previously, but this year, Rockwell's poignant drama snatched the prize, primarily owing to its standout performance by Teyana Taylor.

This role stands as one of the year's best and showcases Taylor's incredible ability to wholly embrace her character—a woman grappling with tough decisions to shield her son. Taylor's exceptional talent for natural reactions, unmarred by rehearsed lines or choreographed actions, significantly enhances a script that wrestles with structural issues and the suspension of disbelief in the final act. Yet, Taylor's remarkable portrayal will leave you too engrossed in the narrative to question its conclusion.

The film unfolds with Inez, played by Taylor, a 22-year-old New Yorker coming back from Rikers Island. She displays the resilience of someone who's already experienced life's trials, knowing what it takes to survive. Above all, she yearns for her son Terry, who, during her imprisonment, has been in the foster care system. When a mishap lands six-year-old Terry in the hospital, Inez instinctively decides to take him home, challenging the faulty foster system that once failed her too.

Inez compels Terry to change his name and conceal his past, but "A Thousand and One" isn't your typical thriller. The narrative revolves around Inez and Terry's shared secret and its impact on their relationship, set against the backdrop of their transforming New York neighborhood throughout the 90s. Rockwell effectively utilizes soundbites and news items to depict the NYC vibe of the era and Inez's place within it, casting her as the steadfast figure in an ever-evolving world.

The plot also introduces Lucky, Inez's eventual husband, portrayed by William Catlett. However, the film's primary focus is on the mother-son relationship, placing an original spin on the traditional trope by underscoring the imminent threat to its existence. Inez and Terry's secret creates an unspoken urgency, mirroring every mother's fear of losing their child to unforeseen circumstances. The narrative revisits the familiar theme of single motherhood triumphing over hardships but injects a sense of freshness through the lens of Inez's tough decisions and their subsequent impact on Terry's perspective.

Despite the plot's solid foundation, it encounters a shaky final act that may not be necessary. A sudden plot twist that recasts everything previously depicted feels like a jarring intrusion into the intimate narrative space, reminding viewers of its melodramatic nature. The climactic scenes feel forced, contrasting with the rest of the film's natural progression.

However, Teyana Taylor rises above the narrative inconsistencies with her compelling performance. As the film's narrative wavers, she remains the driving force, brilliantly personifying a woman who understands the imperative role she plays in her son's life in a treacherous world—and how vital he is to her.