Clarissa

CLARISSA is as exquisite as they come. A lyrical reimagining of Virginia Woolf’s 1925 novel “Mrs Dalloway,” repositioned to Lagos, Nigeria to talk about themes of colonialism and class, this is how you do an adaptation: honoring the spirit of the source material while…

Matt Neglia

Clarissa, Arie and Chuko Esiri’s second feature, is a boldly executed and eloquent reimagining of Virginia Woolf’s landmark novel that pushes her critiques of colonialism, class and isolation with renewed fervor. An adaptation of Mrs. Dalloway, the film stars Sophie Okonedo…

Robert Daniels

there’s so much affection for the place and people on screen here, a palpable resonance that is found in a delicate balance of comedy, drama and sudden moments of violence — reminded me a lot of both Daughters of the Dust and Monsoon Wedding which is, admittedly, high…

Justin LaLiberty

Clarissa is a fascinating interpretation of Mrs Dalloway, shifting the 1920s London-set story to modern day Lagos. It finds the through line between colonialism and patriarchy, both forces which strive to transform and hollow out the souls of both the beneficiaries and…

Brother Bro

A skillful adaptation of Virginia Woolf's Mrs. Dalloway that's set in Nigeria as the country transitions from colonization to independence (independence under military rule). Which is a marvelous transportive conceit from Britain to a country that is shedding its rule as…

Brian Formo

Big love for Ayo’s fascinating British accent, Toheeb Jimoh’s deeply real yearning, the whole vibe and warmth of the thing. Runs out of steam and has a pretty mad bit of whiplash late in the game but some images that have stayed with me.

Ella Kemp

Definitely a little disappointed with this one. At least 20 minutes too long and just way too dull overall. The story is there, and the performances are good but it just never did a thing to reel me in.

Charlie

“I’ve said such bad luck … be nice if this worked out.” An absolute knockout. I could have spilled ink on all of the actors but focused on Sophie Okenodo’s titular performance for RogerEbert. It would have been easy to write off Clarissa as being curmudgeonly or bitter, a…

Zachary Lee

Blair McClendon’s editing is quite a feat as he weaves these timelines together in a emotional manner that, as THR’s Lovia Gyarkye wrote, is reminiscent of the poetic films of Raven Jackson, RaMell Ross, and even Akinola Davies Jr.’s My Father’s Shadow, a premiere from…

Marya E. Gates