Lift (2001)

Very interesting film. Was caught on the premise when seeing the trailer but unsure as to what the outcome would be for the showing. As it turns out, it was a very good film.

If the ambition is to provide two hours of instantly forgettable, popcorn-munching escapism, it succeeds.

Although I seem to have had higher expectations than I thought, the movie is super entertaining.

There's no way I can possibly love it entirely but I just think its ridiculously bad, but enjoyable at the same time.

I actually saw this show at the Sundance Film Festival and met Kery Washington. This movie was well done and Washington was exceptional in her role. She will excel as an actress if given the chance to do so. However, this is a difficult movie to mass market and appeal to a wide audience. This movie is not for the casual viewer. The challenge faced by Washingtons character is vividly seen and makes you feel for her. Yet in the end it's hard to feel bad for her because of her choices. The frustration lies with the people she surrounds herself with. At times she has the chance to chose a better life but does not due to her environment. Her potential is precluded with her bad habit.

I watched LIFT last night on Sundance. This film was a story of a girl who works as a display artist at an upscale department store. However, on the side she has a part-time job... she steals high priced items (clothes, jewelry, etc.) and sells them to locals around the urban neighborhood. Kerry Washington is an excellent actress that pulled the part off! The movie touches on emotional past issues with family that may hit close to home for some. The movie itself is kind runs kind of bland with no real climax except for the "final job" that Neicy wants to pull in order to please her mother(who needs therapy.) Greed gets the best of everyone & she pays the price through Karma. 6 out of 10

If I never see another film, my thirst for sincere and captivating performances will be quenched by the shining Ms. Washington and the amazing Barbara Montgomery. This film, despite its rather gloomy setting, is eventually all about redemption and hope. The stories of those in Lift are noble, real narratives about love, courage, and transformations. This powerful film makes a fitting and powerful commentary about the dangers of materialism and about internalizing mainstream (read: white) notions of beauty and worth, especially for those in the African American community.

A popular hit at this years Sundance Film Fest, Lift showed how love and money, family and friends can become confused in the search for status. Niecy works at a ritzy department store which covers for her real job as a steal to order shoplifter. All her friends love her as long as she delivers the goods. Even her mother pressures her for extravagant presents. Her boyfriend smokes pot, dreams of being a rap producer and looks down on her shoplifting "business" while hypocritically Nicey looks down on him for smoking pot! When she has to join forces with a gang leader to lift an especially expensive gift for her mother the pressure and fate conspire and her world crumbles. Filmed in Boston with an almost completely African- American cast, Lift doesn't take the easy cliched way out, but explores the well drawn characters emotions and their limitations. A solid, well crafted drama.