By Daniel Paiz

Cypher Flicks reviews I Love Boosters, Boots Riley’s second cinematic creation and it has just as much social commentary as Sorry to Bother You does. Corvette (Keke Palmer, who is also a producer and song contributor to this film) is a designer and a booster, someone who steals expensive fashion clothing and sells it for cheap to the people. Her friends Sade (Naomi Ackie), Mariah (Taylour Paige) and Stevie (Rachel Walters) assist her in said endeavors, brainstorming ideas and looking for different Christie Smith-ran stores (Demi Moore nails the evil CEO role) to rob. Along the way the team adds clothing factory worker Jianhu (Poppy Liu) and store associate Violeta (Eiza González) to take down the evil CEO.

Plenty of twists and turns abound, from time travel and deconstructing fashion to a steamy man slash demon (LaKeith Stanfield) and pyramid-scheme minded Dr. Jack (Don Cheadle). There’s a bigger takeaway as the film winds down, but that’s a twist you will see and likely expect if you watched Riley’s first film. The different relationship levels unfolding in this piece of work is what really stuck with me.

Levels to this Story

This layered film examines several kinds of relationships existing in US society today. There is the surface level of one person against the world; in this case, Corvette believes she just needs a break for her ideas despite being overly critical of her own designs. Then there’s the individual versus the community but only in the sense that a person has to make it on their own before receiving community; Corvette is initially stuck in this mindset.

Lastly there is the us versus them battle. This is essentially a community that supports itself and takes on the establishment or the wealthy who plan to disrupt communities for increased gains. All three of these battles are happening simultaneously. The latter battle mentioned is what unfolds over the entirety of the film, although the two previously mentioned conflicts also flesh themselves out as build-up to the third act.

A Battle Within

Corvette (Palmer) has some lessons or at the very least reminders as the story progresses. Listen to your friends and appreciate their skillsets. Appreciate how folks continue to show up for you, listen to you, and are supportive of you. Corvette doesn’t appreciate Sade continuously accepting her ideas and plans, her criticisms, and how Sade keeps showing up despite the dismissive attitude Corvette gives Sade on her ideas. Sade has a different set of priorities but still considers Corvette one of them. It takes some time for Corvette to show that same level of awareness but once she does, it brings both characters closer.

The proverbial mountain out of a mole hill is on full display with the ball of clutter constantly lurking around. A reminder of one’s goals, responsibilities, and self-criticisms are lurking about for most people. Simple is difficult to do well, and this junk ball of worries is executed well because of it simply being something hanging around in its enormity. Each person must decide how much they’re going to allow their worries to plague them.

Final Verdict

Boosting is a fair reaction to the lack of fair pay and lack of fair working conditions these characters encounter. It’s also important to note that women routinely are in these positions where working conditions are the worst and they aren’t listened to about it because their gender is weaponized against them. Black and Brown women are also often in these positions while more often than not White women are benefitting at the cost of these women working these jobs.

It’s interesting how the folks on the ground level are criminalize when the actions by CEOs and higher-ups around the world are far worse and far more impactful than what boosters do. It’s the same thing again and again when profit and property are prioritized over people. Boots Riley reminds viewers that in order for things to change, consistent and uncomfortable things must be done.

The average everyday person is already living an uncomfortable life, it’s just that a majority of folks have accepted this conditioning. The belief is that it’s better to be in this known era of discomfort than in a phase of discomfort one doesn’t want to adjust to or know about. While it would be nice to have a plot device such as the “time machine” the crew learns of from Jianhu, this is a reminder the devices that are serving our downfall can be used to topple those causing the discomfort. Devices are a two-way street; communication can be utilized for change.

This film matches Riley’s first film creation, it’s entertaining, and worth watching for essentially all movie fans.