Watch Through The Trees

Through The Trees is a 2019 drama movie depicting the coming of age of two African American teenagers, Isaiah and Talik, from Virginia planning to escape their tumultuous home lives and start anew in New York City. The movie explores various themes such as the struggles of growing up, family relationships, drug addiction, religion, and the bond of friendship.

Isaiah is a talented, uptight young man who is also an experienced basketball player, while his friend Talik is a talented artist, who has just recently come out as gay. Both teenagers deal with dysfunctional family relationships, as Isaiah's father is a drug addict and Talik's mother is a devout Christian who doesn't approve of his sexuality. The boys hit roadblocks when it comes to escaping their home life, which leads Isaiah to turn to drugs and Talik to shoplifting; however, their friendship remains strong throughout their various conflicts.

The movie shows a few days of their life as they plan their escape to New York City. Isaiah, who doesn't want anything to do with drugs, starts to depend heavily on them as a way to cope with his father's addiction and his mother's lack of support, leaving Talik to carry much of the responsibility for planning their getaway. As he and Isaiah come across various people on their journey, they start to learn more about themselves and deal with their personal demons.

Through The Trees also deals with themes of racism when Isaiah is threatened by cops when he runs with the basketball at night, and the portrayal of the LGBTQ+ community with Talik struggling to come to terms with his sexuality and face harsh criticism from his mother.

The performances of the three main actors are solid, with Isaiah Miller and Talik Lee delivering strong performances as the close-knit friends. Both actors emote their characters' personal struggles convincingly, portraying their characters' angst and personal issues realistically. Valdi Belton makes a brief but notable appearance as a street musician they encounter, who provides insight and guidance to the boys.

Director and writer Michael Ruth creates a realistic portrayal of the challenging experience of growing up in a low-income area and the daily difficulties of trying to coming out of poverty. The movie's shots are beautifully captured, utilizing iconic streets such as the Brooklyn Bridge and taxi cabs to give an authentic New York City feeling.

The movie's pacing is steady, with a few scenes that could have been more engaging, but it manages to keep the audience interested and emotionally invested in the characters. Through The Trees carries a meaningful message of the significance of true friendships and the potential for recovery even after facing tough times.

In conclusion, Through The Trees is a thought-provoking and authentic portrayal of the life of two young men growing up in adverse environments. With a focus on developing three-dimensional characters and an emphasis on the different challenges the characters face, viewers can connect with the characters and their situations as they embark on a new journey.

Through The Trees is a 2019 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 13 minutes.