Indie Movie Review: The First Step

 Written by Joe Compton

In a divided America, Van Jones attempts to pass a landmark criminal justice bill -- and finds himself under fire from all sides.

• Genre:
  Documentary
• Original Language:
  English
• Director:
  Brandon Kramer
• Producer:
  Lance Kramer
• Release Date:
  Feb 17, 2023 
• Runtime:
  1h 30m
• Distributor:
  8 Above
  
  
  

WHAT THIS DOCUMENTARY DOES WELL: Well, the access here is amazing and because of that the filmmakers do get some opportunities to set up and film in a manner that does design itself very well around the POV its representing. There are some great shots that feel intimate, and almost so insider that on one hand you feel like you are spying on how the sausage is being made and maybe you weren't meant to see this. There are some nice Steadicam and lower tripod or dolly shots that frame some two shots and wider shots like we are peaking through a doorway. A very effective tool for like what I said the spying feeling. There also some nice over the shoulder, raised tripod shots that also capture the movement of a busy man and his day. 

On the other hand, it made this viewer wonder why we don't see this candidness, people being human, especially in the polarized, heavy partisan society that America has become. What are they all afraid off, I guess is what I wondered a lot in watching this? 

The storytelling here is crafted well, we get a 3 act structure that takes us a on a journey and tells one man's/one side's story. It's honest to a point and Brandon and Lance, both as documentarians, point the camera and let the story unfold. The untethered access helps paint a picture, and one that can often be surprising to this viewer who is a heavy political person, but it was the moments when we are sitting with Mr. Jones watching his humanity and his emotions that really are what helps keep up watching, and brings us in.

 

WHY CHAMPION THIS DOCUMENTARY:  I think no matter where you stand on the issue that is being brought front and center, I think one of the things that polarization does is it handcuffs you to seek only what you want to seek, and I think there is something to be gained by giving something you might automatically dismiss because of who is being followed for this or what the subject does politically for your beliefs. I always encourage looking at both sides. The small issue I have with this doc is it only present one side, and one man's thoughts but that's the aim of it. I understood that and in that context there are very few that do it more intimately and nicely designed around truth then this one. This making a limited run out there in Theaters, so go support Indie Film and if you see it at your cinema, give a chance.  

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