In the heart wrenching new, true story, American drama mini-series, ‘When They See Us’, director, Ava DuVernay brilliantly tells the infamous story of the 1989 ‘Central Park Five’ case. The audience is confronted with deeply thrilling, raw and often difficult to watch scenes of the overwhelming truths propelled onto five, innocent young lives.
The mini-series takes place in New York, 1989, where we are taken on a nightmarish journey of five African-American and Hispanic boys; Raymond Santana (Marquis Rodriguez and Freddy Miyares), Kevin Richardson (Asante Blackk and Justin Cunningham), Antron McCray (Caleel Harris and Jovan Adepo), Yusef Salaam (Ethan Herisse and Chris Chalk) and Korey Wise (Jharrel Jerome). These boys, just aged fourteen to sixteen, quickly find themselves wrongfully tethered to what will become one of the most well- known cases around the world, more commonly known as the ‘Central Park Five’. DuVernay ensures to portray to the audience the corrupt, malignant and racially driven actions of the police/justice system, as the boys are coerced and even more so, deceived into making a false video statement, admitting to the crime in exchange to return home to their families. Accused by a team of police and detectives, the taped statements are used against the five boys in court and in turn, they are incarcerated for what ranged to be from six to thirteen years.
I have got to say, I have never felt more emotion towards a series in my life. Every episode enticed me more and more as I became attached to the characters individual stories and began to feel their loss of hope, suffocation and cry for justice. I would suggest getting the tissues ready because the portrayal of the story is so moving and galvanising that crying is definitely inevitable. Every aspect of the series is beautifully conducted. The suitable settings create a believable atmosphere which emulates the time and contributes to the overall feeling.
I was utterly impressed by the performance of the actors and their emotionally filled ordeals which pull at the heartstrings. To recreate and convey the authentic reactions and feelings of each real-life boy would have, undoubtedly, been a grim task, but they all managed to pull it off incredibly well.
However, Jharrel Jerome (who played Korey Wise) stands out as he puts on a remarkable performance throughout the entirety of the series and is the only actor who plays both young and old, which he does impeccably well.
DuVernay does an incredible job to expose the true account of the ‘Central Park Five’; simultaneously gaining justice for Raymond Santana, Kevin Richardson, Antron McCray, Yusef Salaam and Korey Wise and also raising awareness on cases just like these which continue to occur. The story also highlights the effects of racial profiling and white supremacy which deems to still be an issue in society today. This is not just another entertaining Netflix series, it’s one that sheds light on political matters, one which educates and one which can initiate conversations.
Although I’ll probably never have the heart to re-watch and experience this all again, I highly recommend ‘When They See Us’ to anyone.
CAST:
Jharrel Jerome, Jovan Adepo, Michael K. Williams, Logan Marshall-Green, Joshua Jackson, Blair Underwood, Vera Farmiga, John Leguizamo, Felicity Huffman, Niecy Nash, Aunjanue Ellis, and Kylie Bunbury.
Director:
Ava DuVernay
AUTHOR: Ella Meleisea