“Mickey Hardaway” distinguishes itself by deftly integrating the debilitating effects of mental illness and multigenerational trauma into its character-based drama. Writer-director Marcellus Cox, expanding his well received short film into his feature debut, delivers an intimate, compelling and ultimately hopeful portrait of a damaged young life at a crossroads.
“Mickey Hardaway,” available for steaming, stars the excellent Rashad Hunter as the title character. The film opens with Mickey committing a violent crime before flashbacks offer a sobering look at what precipitated his breakdown. A talented portrait artist, Mickey is physically and emotionally abused by his father Randall (David Chattam) who ridicules his son’s dreams and even sabotages Mickey’s chance at an art school grant. Chattam manages to find humanity in this character, revealing a self hatred and resentment that Randall turns outward on Mickey. As his mother, Gayla Johnson also presents a multi-dimensional look at a well-meaning woman who can’t both protect her son and keep the peace. Mickey ends up fleeing his home and struggling on his own.
Cox’s choice to shoot in black-and-white serves the intimacy of this story which feels stripped down to its essence. It also makes the jump to color when Mickey goes on a date with Grace (Ashley Parchment) all the more joyous and connected to Mickey’s emotional state.
Grace convinces Mickey to see a therapist to deal with his demons. The young man and Dr. Harden (Samuel Cofield, Jr.) have revealing exchanges about how their family trauma has impacted them. Even though some of their conversation is expository and a bit schematic, it is refreshing and promising to see a film, especially a first feature, tackle this complex subject with honesty and authenticity.
