Sundance 2024

Exhibiting Forgiveness is a heartfelt exploration of the complex emotions tied to family relationships, particularly the difficulties of forgiving those who have hurt us deeply. Directed by Titus Kaphar, the film stars André Holland as Jacob, an artist grappling with years of unresolved resentment towards his father, played by Delroy Lindo. Jacob's bitterness stems from his father's harsh treatment during his adolescence and the emotional harm caused to his mother, portrayed by the remarkable Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor. As the story unfolds, Jacob is forced to confront his father again, as his mother has unexpectedly welcomed him back into their lives.

André Holland delivers an outstanding performance as Jacob, torn between his lingering anger and the growing realization that forgiveness might be the only way to move forward. Holland captures the emotional weight of Jacob's internal battle, especially as he confronts the fact that he would never treat his own children like his father did. Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor gives a quiet yet powerful performance as Jacob's mother, a woman who has made peace with her husband's past mistakes and found the strength to forgive him. Her scenes with Delroy Lindo are incredibly moving, portraying a couple trying to rebuild after years of damage.

The film dives deeply into the messiness of forgiveness. For Jacob, and for many of us, forgiving a parent can feel unsatisfying, as if it excuses the behavior that caused so much pain. There's often a stubbornness at play, especially in cases where trauma runs deep. Exhibiting Forgiveness captures this struggle beautifully as Jacob, an artist, processes his pain through his work. Art becomes his means of reflection, allowing him to grapple with his trauma and find some sense of peace. This understanding doesn't erase the harm his father caused, but it gives Jacob a way to unburden himself from the resentment that has weighed him down for years.

One of the film's most poignant aspects is its exploration of parenthood. As Jacob reflects on his own relationship with his children, the difficulty of forgiving his father becomes even more pronounced. The film wisely doesn't rush this process, acknowledging that some wounds run too deep to heal quickly. Jacob's journey is even more impactful for parents—it's one thing to forgive an estranged family member, but quite another when you realize how unimaginable it would be to inflict that same pain on your own children.

Exhibiting Forgiveness was one of my favorite films from Sundance this year. The performances, particularly André Holland's, are perfectly measured, and the film's exploration of the difficulty of forgiving family, especially parents, is profoundly moving. Major bonus points for the clever title. And it's never a bad idea to have Andra Day sing a few bars throughout your film.

— 4 / 5 ⭐