Review: Chris Rock finds his footing behind the camera with ‘Misty Green’

Chris Rock’s latest directorial effort, “Misty Green,” is a dark, compelling look at Hollywood’s pitfalls, anchored by powerful performances from Rosalind Eleazar and Daniel Kaluuya.

I sat down to watch Chris Rock’s new film, “Misty Green,” with absolutely zero expectations and was pleasantly surprised to find he made something that brings to mind lyrics from Lauryn Hill: “Don’t be a hard rock when you truly are a gem.” This isn’t Rock’s first time in the director’s chair, but it might just be his best effort yet—a film that is gritty and real, but also retains moments so tender that you’d have to be carved from stone not to feel something.

Rosalind Eleazar, who stars as the titular character, was unfamiliar to me, having never watched her in “Slow Horses.” After seeing her in “Misty Green,” I won’t be forgetting her anytime soon. Eleazar is perfection as a troubled, self-destructive actress whose considerable talent is constantly overshadowed by her questionable decisions.

From the moment we meet Misty, she’s exactly who she is: an Emmy Award-winning actress who seems wildly unprepared for the realities of sustaining a career in Hollywood. When she should be preparing for an audition, she’s partying. When she should be looking for a place to live, she’s drinking and getting high. She’s got talent, plenty of it, but so do a million other women who could pass for her cousins, waiting in the same studio for their opportunity to audition for the same role.

Misty has burned bridges, pissed off powerful people, and squandered more opportunities than most aspiring actresses will ever see. Yet somehow, the chances keep coming. The question is whether she’ll finally get out of her own way long enough to make something of one.

At times, “Misty Green” is a dark and dismal reflection of the Hollywood your mother warned you about. The one where you can lose everything chasing a dream, and not just your money, but your morals, your dignity, and your self-respect.

Rock spends considerably more time behind the camera than in front of it, but he does appear as Jordan Green, a man who represents something of a beacon of hope for Misty. He’s a knight, not in shining armor, but in a trench coat and fedora that makes him look like he robbed the wardrobe department of an Inspector Gadget movie.

Despite the questionable fashion choices, Rock and Eleazar share some genuinely sweet, endearing scenes. There’s an understanding between their characters about what it means to be Black in Hollywood, a shared sense of humor, and the possibility of a do-over after a previous attempt to work together went wrong. Their chemistry offers a welcome reprieve from some of the film’s darker moments.

There’s plenty that works about “Misty Green,” but what works best might be Daniel Kaluuya.

The Oscar winner plays Misty’s brother, also named Jordan, who goes by J. Living with mental illness, J has recently been released from the institution where he was receiving care because his sister, or perhaps her recently deceased wealthy benefactor, is no longer footing the bill.

Kaluuya plays J with a spirit and abandon that make it abundantly clear why he’s an Academy Award winner. He’s unpredictable, vulnerable and utterly captivating. In a film filled with impressive performances, he SHINES.

The supporting ensemble is equally impressive, with Topher Grace, Anna Kendrick, Alexandra Shipp and Adam Driver all delivering strong performances that help round out this complicated Hollywood drama.

Not everything about “Misty Green” works quite as well. The film includes several quick-jump flashbacks that were easily my least favorite part of the storytelling. There are also a few shots that made me wonder whether Rock had been studying Spike Lee’s playbook. Still, neither issue was enough to diminish my appreciation for what Rock has accomplished here.

Perhaps what’s most impressive about “Misty Green” is that Rock doesn’t seem particularly interested in making his audience comfortable. The film is messy, occasionally bleak, and populated by characters who can be difficult to root for, even when you desperately want them to succeed. There are moments of humor, but they’re often surrounded by consequences that aren’t funny at all.

By the time the credits roll, you might find yourself wanting a drink. If that’s the case, Rock has probably done his job.

“Misty Green” is a well-executed film that suggests Chris Rock may have found another gear as a filmmaker. After decades of watching him make audiences laugh, it’s exciting to see what he can do when he’s more interested in making us feel something else.

Whatever comes next, I’m paying attention.