Imperial Dreams

Imperial Dreams is a 2014 Netflix Original film that was picked up and distributed by the company in 2017 following a three year span where the film unfortunately sat on a shelf looking for a home (the irony behind this will be explained later). The film is directed by first timer Malik Vithhal and stars John Boyega (one year before The Force Awakens) as Bambi, a down on his luck hoodlum that has recently been released from prison looking to start fresh. Living homeless in his old, beat up car (remember that irony statement?) with his young son, Bambi attempts to use writing as his way out of the filth while he has to go about his every day struggles.
The first thing I want to talk about with the film is that it is very well written. Vittahl, who co-wrote the film with Ismet Prcic, do a sensational job of taking a story that has been told ten times over and making it feel somewhat fresh. Additionally, the script feels very realistic, something similar films seem to forget to do. Instead of going down the formulaic route that many similar films tend to travel, Imperial Dreams is the kind of film that shows all of the downs (which significantly outweigh the ups) and ends on a hopeful yet not exactly happy note. It almost seemed as if throughout the course of the film, the writers had a checklist of generic tropes and cliches to avoid, going out of their way at times to make the film be different. This really is something I cannot praise enough as few films are able to feel fresh and new.
Much praise must be given to the cast as well, especially John Boyega, who was a complete showstopper in the film. With his role in the Star Wars franchise as well as his upcoming lead role in the Pacific Rim sequel, it's nice to see him get the attention he deserves as he is a very good actor. What is unfortunate though is that he could fall into the typecast trap. I love seeing him able to truly stretch his acting muscles in films such as this, Detroit, and Attack the Block, something he can't necessarily do as a franchise star (just ask Chris Evans). Regardless of his eventual fate, he will forever have this performance, which really is one that should have garnered some Oscar buzz for in 2014 after its appearance at Sundance. Additionally, twins Ethan and Justin Coach are both cute and heartbreaking as Day, Bambi's toddler son. This is that special kind of performance that yanks at your heart as we the audience see this child's innocence gradually be taken away from him at such a young age. The other actors in the film also do a good job, mainly Glenn Plummer as Uncle Shrimp, Bambi's no good thug uncle and Rotimi as Wayne, Bambi's brother.
Part of the reason that the film works so well and feels so real is that the characters are all fully developed and three dimensional. This is due to the excellent work from both the actors and the writers as even the most irredeemable characters are not simple cardboard cutouts there seemingly just to cause struggles with the protagonist. One of the most telling moments of this is Uncle Shrimp's chilling "We are what we are" speech towards the end of the film, which somehow feels similar to Roy Batty's "Tears in the rain" speech in Blade Runner (Albeit far less memorable or cool). Bambi is also a very well developed character. Even though he clearly has a good heart, we do see his ugly side as well as why he's turned out the way he has.
I think that the film does a great job of showing what hoodlum life is really like, displaying all of the negatives to it while also giving reason as to why it does entice young poor boys. In a way, it's like a modern day urban version of Goodfellas except far less romanticized. The dangers of the lifestyle are also on full show here, whether it's the destruction it has on a family or the coldness of seemingly random murder that can take place at any given time. The streets are clearly mean and the only way to survive is to play mean as well. On a side note, I think it's also interesting how the film shows that breaking this lifestyle is hard and almost impossible. It's a job that provides plenty of "benefits," things that Bambi needs but is unable to get as finding a job as a convicted felon is difficult. I always wonder why criminals return to prison so often (other than being institutionalized as Shawshank taught us). This is a film that explains part of why that is.
If you're looking for a happy film or at least one that end happy, then this isn't the movie for you. If you are looking for a well acted, well written film that clearly has more to stay about our way of life than most entertainment does, then this is the movie for you. If you're in the mood, I'd say check it out. If anything, it is at least short (about an hour and 25 minutes).