Premature

A widely acclaimed coming-of-age drama directed by Rashaad Ernesto Green and co-written by Zora Howard, who also stars in the film. Set in Harlem, the film follows the emotional journey of Ayanna, a 17-year-old poet played by Howard, who delivers a raw and compelling performance. Her chemistry with Joshua Boone, who portrays Isaiah, a music producer, is electrifying and deeply moving. The screenplay, rooted in the Harlem setting, is both lyrical and authentic, exploring themes of love, trust, and the pains of growing up with sharp, realistic dialogue. Cinematographer Laura Valladao enhances the film's emotional depth with stunning visuals, while Green's sensitive and assured direction draws powerful performances from the cast. Premature stands out for its exceptional performances, authentic storytelling, and visual beauty, making it a poignant and unforgettable cinematic experience.

I thoroughly enjoyed this beautiful love story! Green's directing is confident and nuanced. Zora Howard gives a great performance, and I very much related to the up's and down's of young love that Ayanna experiences. I felt that the characters were multifaceted and complex and enjoyed seeing Harlem and its richness depicted with such beauty on screen.

This movie is great and relatable for me being close to her age.This movie reminds me of a good teen fiction book. I honestly cried and I don't even cry over movies, but I guess when you felt what she felt, you can relate.

"Premature" is a film with a theme that has been brought to the screen many times. Nevertheless, the movie works because the story is timeless and the characters are as real as you and I. Zora Howard gives a standout performance as 17 year-old Ayanna. She is tough, yet vulnerable, a child and a woman, but most of all, a person whose growth is measured throughout the movie though her highs and lows of an unrequited love. Ernesto Green does a stellar job of directing as the rough and tumble, yet beautiful backdrop of New York City is intertwined with Ayanna"s friends, family and paramour.

It is always refreshing to watch a film where people of color can be who they are and there is no need to fall back on the mindless racial stereotypes too often presented in cinema. This is a nicely constructed act of storytelling and well worth one's time to sit back and watch the story unfold.

I hadn't given it the actual time which it deserved, but when I finally got around to watch it, the romance I shared with a special someone, the realisation of a fractured love, years of romance leading to a break up which occurred to me previously to watching this, it all came rushing to me altogether and emotionally welded this movie to my own experience.

After having watched it and crying, it really gave me such an appreciation for it, for its scenes of intimacy, for its scenes of conflict , scenes of black family, scenes of black friends, but mostly the tender scenes of lovers just enjoying being being in each other's lives, company and sharing a loving space of love and joy. Additionally, also the pain that inevitably comes afterwards when you're forced to face an unstable relationship tumbling down.

Also has to be said that the score, the jazz infusions in this movie are incredibly stellar too, much deserved praise to the Clayton Brothers for their contribution to this.