‘The American Society of Magical Negroes’ certainly has an interesting title. Complementing anything beyond would be stretch. While writer/director Kobi Libbi’s 1st feature film is certainly an attempt at a satirical take on race relations, the final product felt lifeless, no real structure to the film, and just a collection of attempted comedic beats in the film masked as satire. Making matters worse, Libbi weaves in a romantic conflict for the film’s male lead which ultimately becomes more a distraction than anything else. What is this film? Is it a commentary on how society handles race relations? I’m not even sure Libbi knows.
The film centers around Aren (Justice Smith), a struggling artist who gets approached by Roger (David Alan Grier) to interview for an exclusive society, The American Society of Magical Negroes, whose job is to appease white angst, so they don’t take it out on African Americans. During Aren’s 1st assignment, it becomes very complicated when his client happens to be co-workers with a girl, Lizzie, Aren bumped into and was attracted to. Does he put his client’s needs ahead of his own?
So, for a large portion of the film, Libbi treats us to endless amounts of exposition and foundation as to why Aren is now part of this magical group. What’s missing is the bite to this satire. Audiences understand what the film is getting at, but the film doesn’t say anything. It’s too safe. When the film appears to be righting itself, the will they … won’t they portion of the narrative derails any progression in the film. There’s a reason why the film faltered at the box-office. There’s a reason it will likely be available to stream sooner rather than later. It lacks any identity which ultimately kills its appeal across the board.