Humanizing the discourse around criminal justice is as ambitious a goal as any for a feature film, but it’s a tall order that filmmaker Rashad Frett more than fulfills in “Ricky,” his debut feature film. Expanded from his acclaimed short film of the same name, “Ricky” has been a lifetime in the making for Frett. Set in his native Hartford, Connecticut, “Ricky” follows its namesake Ricardo “Ricky” Smith as the 30-year-old makes the uneasy transition from serving 15 years in prison to a new life of freedom that doesn’t feel so free.

In a masterful performance, Stephan James — whose resume is dotted with many memorable turns in “Selma,” “Race” and “Homecoming” — puts a face to the struggles that so many ex-offenders encounter. Ricky has trouble keeping a job with employers who perform background checks, struggles to make a living as a barber while steering clear of drug users and is haunted by mental health issues that resulted from being locked up as a teen. The impact of these issues is compounded when the film reveals the true reason Ricky was imprisoned.

In a nuanced performance, James plays Ricky as completely guarded in this new world that should seem familiar, but where he feels out of place. What others, including Ricky’s mother Winsome (Simbi Kali) and brother James (Maliq Johnson), view as his unwillingness to do better is really an inability to do so. He has difficulty switching out of the one-day-at-a-time survival mode that has defined his life and has trouble navigating a testy relationship with his parole officer, played by “Abbott Elementary” actress Sheryl Lee Ralph in a return to her dramatic roots.

Frett, who co-wrote the script with his NYU classmate Lin Que Ayoung, skillfully juggles all the ins and outs of post-prison life at once. As Ricky, James goes the distance, delving deep into the complexities of his character with an internal performance, and there is an intimacy in the direction, with Frett’s use of handheld cinematography and frequent closeups, that makes the story that much more impactful.

It’s hard to watch “Ricky” and not compare both Frett and James to Ryan Coogler and Michael B. Jordan’s acclaimed film “Fruitvale Station,” which debuted at Sundance over a decade ago. If history repeats itself, James will be catapulted to the A-list billing his talent has long warranted and Frett will join the circle of hot Black directors whose industry opportunities seem more bountiful than ever. 

“Ricky” is currently seeking distribution at the Sundance Film Festival.

The post ‘Ricky’ Review: Stephan James Mesmerizes in Post-Prison Drama appeared first on TheWrap.

• Donald Trump and the White House offered a muddy message on trade.
• Markets continued to be roiled by Trump's plans for retaliatory tariffs.
• In the meantime, GOP leaders said a bill to rein in Trump's tariffs is going nowhere.

President Donald Trump on Monday said he's not open to pausing planned reciprocal tariffs as his trade war continues to roil markets and create political headaches for fellow Republicans.

The White House, including Trump, continued to send conflicting messages about whether his tariffs were an effort to bring nations to the table or a massive policy shift aimed at reorienting the US economy.

"There can be permanent tariffs and there can also be negotiations," Trump told reporters at the White House.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent told Fox Business that "50, 60, maybe almost 70 countries now have approached" the White House to discuss tariffs.

Earlier in the day, White House senior counselor Peter Navarro wrote in the Financial Times, "This is not a negotiation. For the US, it is a national emergency triggered by trade deficits caused by a rigged system."

Amid mounting political pressure, the GOP leaders of both chambers made it clear they stand behind the president.

"I don't think that has a future," Senate Majority Leader John Thune told reporters about a bipartisan bill to rein in presidential tariff powers.

Thune's comments came after the White House formally said that Trump would veto a bill to rein in presidential tariff power.

So far, seven Senate Republicans, including Sens. Chuck Grassley and Mitch McConnell, have said they would vote for such a bill. Grassley is the senior most Senate Republican and third in line to the presidency. McConnell led Senate Republicans for nearly two decades.

Across the Capitol, Speaker Mike Johnson sounded a similar note.

"You've got to give the president the latitude, the runway to do what it is he was elected to do," Johnson told reporters when asked about similar House legislation.

Under Grassley's bill, new tariffs would expire if Congress didn't approve them within 60 days. Presidents would also be required to notify Congress of future tariffs ahead of their announcement. Rep. Don Bacon of Nebraska, one of the most vulnerable House Republicans, has said he would introduce legislation similar to Grassley's in the House.

Before Trump, free trade was one of the pillars of the modern Republican Party. Trump has supported protectionist policies for decades and has been deeply critical of US trade policy.

The White House has sought to buck up support for Trump's latest round of tariffs amid a slump on Wall Street.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell for the third straight day on Monday.

Trump argues short-term pain will ultimately benefit the economy.