Small Axe Anthology (Steve McQueen): Education

[Ezee E]

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/b/bf/Poster_for_Small_Axe_miniserie s.jpg

WIKI (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Education_(film))

[Peng]

Unlike Lovers Rock's more unconventional aim, the slimmer runtimes of both Alex Wheatle and Education seem restrictive, the former by not allowing its biopic structure to breathe, and this one by making its pervasive education issue cross the line in viewpoint from intimate into almost too narrow at times. But as a whole this is still compellingly dramatized enough, beautifully acted (especially by Sharlene Whyte), and the final hopeful chord it struck is a perfect note for "Small Axe" to go out on. 7/10

[Stay Puft]

I'm back to yay for this but it's a mild yay; agree again with Peng here, the running time makes this one too narrow. Like Mangrove, McQueen is often spelling things out instead of effectively dramatizing; it functions more as tract than narrative, which is fine but limits what it can achieve. Nevertheless, plenty of grace notes throughout and that ending scene really is wonderful. To infinity...