Watch Dayveon

Dayveon is a coming of age film from 2017, directed by Amman Abbasi. The movie stars Devin Blackmon in the lead role of Dayveon, a 13-year-old boy who is grappling with the loss of his older brother. Dayveon is set in rural Arkansas and depicts a society still rife with gun violence and gang culture. The film opens with Dayveon coming home from school in his small town in Arkansas. He gets off the bus and is picked up by his sister who immediately berates him for skipping school. Dayveon is a loner who is struggling to deal with the aftermath of his brother's murder, and school just doesn't seem to matter to him anymore. We see him wandering around the town aimlessly, smoking cigarettes, trying to find something to fill the void left by his brother.

Dayveon's sister and her boyfriend are worried about him and are actively trying to get him back into school. They suggest that he join a local community center which has a basketball team, but he is hesitant. However, he eventually decides to go and meets other kids his age. One of them is Brayden (Dontrell Bright), a boy his age who is trying to stay out of trouble but is still surrounded by gang life.

As Dayveon starts to integrate himself into the community center, we see him bond with Brayden, another boy who is still grappling with his own brother's death while also trying to avoid falling into the wrong crowd. The two boys begin to forge a bond, and Dayveon becomes more comfortable with his surroundings.

The film takes a turn when Dayveon is introduced to the local gang that his brother used to be a part of. Despite knowing the risks, he is drawn to them and their way of living. He begins to spend more time with them, even going to parties and getting involved in their activities. The gang culture is depicted realistically, with the boys constantly posturing and talking about violence. Dayveon starts to become more and more embroiled in their world, but the question remains - will he succumb to the pressures of joining the gang or will he choose another path?

Throughout the movie, there are rich visual and aural cues that beautifully capture the mood and tone of Dayveon's inner turmoil. The cinematography is stunning, with the director often employing handheld camera techniques that reflect the uneasy nature of the protagonist's journey. The sound design is also integral to the storytelling, with the music choices perfectly capturing the emotional states of the characters.

The performances in Dayveon are top-notch, with the lead Devin Blackmon giving a remarkably nuanced and mature performance for a first-time actor. Dontrell Bright, who plays Brayden, is also excellent in his role as a young boy navigating the dangers of inner-city life. Lachion Buckingham, who plays a local gang leader, is suitably menacing and intense in his appearance.

The themes explored in Dayveon are heavy and intense, with the film tackling issues of gun violence, loss, and identity. It's a film that doesn't shy away from showing the struggles of young people living in impoverished areas and the challenges they face. The film resonates with viewers of all backgrounds because it's a poignant reminder that the root of all problems we face today is something we must all see and understand.

In summary, Dayveon is a thought-provoking and poignant coming-of-age story set against the backdrop of rural Arkansas. It's a movie that carefully examines the struggles that young people face in impoverished areas and the choices they make. With stunning visuals, impressive sound design, and exceptional performances, Dayveon is a must-watch for fans of independent cinema.

Dayveon is a 2017 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 16 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.2 and a MetaScore of 69.