In Exhibiting Forgiveness, which we open on October 18 at the Laemmle Claremont, Monica Film Center, NoHo and Town Center, Tarrell (Andre Holland) plays an admired American painter who lives with his wife, singer Aisha (Andra Day), and their young son, Jermaine. Tarrell’s artwork excavates beauty from the anguish of his youth, keeping past wounds at bay. His path to success is derailed by an unexpected visit from his estranged father, La’Ron (John Earl Jelks), a conscience-stricken man desperate to reconcile.
Tarrell’s mother, Joyce (Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor) a pious woman with a profound and joyful spirituality, hopes that Tarrell can open his heart to forgiveness, giving them all another chance at being a family. Tarrell and La’Ron learn that forgetting might be a greater challenge than forgiving in this raw and deeply moving film.
“This is a powerful film about the limits of forgiveness, and the ways religion is often misused as a tool for total redemption, no matter the sin.” ~ Robert Daniels, RogerEbert.com
“An emotionally wrenching drama set to resonate with those who have also had to confront the complicated equation of radical forgiveness.” ~ Benjamin Lee, Guardian
“Exhibiting Forgiveness sends you out on a note of hope, but it’s not exactly a feel-good movie. It’s a feel-the-reality movie, a drama willing to scald. That’s its quiet power.” ~ Owen Gleiberman, Variety
“There are more strengths than weaknesses in Exhibiting Forgiveness, especially when it comes to the performances, which hook us to the emotional grooves of Tarrell’s family.” ~ Lovia Gyarkye, Hollywood Reporter
“It’s painful and it doesn’t necessarily heal, but it’s a full experience, exceptional in its craft, with performances that cannot be dismissed or be forgotten.” ~ William Bibbiani, TheWrap
“Andre Holland brings immense feeling to his role as an artist haunted by childhood trauma, and writer-director Titus Kaphar’s semi-autobiographical feature debut is suffused with pain, anger and sorrow.” ~ Tim Grierson, Screen International
“Tarrell’s non-judgmental approach embraces shades of grey rather than seeing things in black and white. He doesn’t vilify anyone, nor does he try and mine heroism in suffering.” ~ Namrata Joshi, The New Indian Express
“As Tarrell, Holland gives a soulful performance, radiating pain and anguish.” ~ Jourdain Searles, indieWire
“Art comes to the rescue, as Exhibiting Forgiveness lends its healing hand on everyone, on and off the screen.” ~ Tomris Laffly, Harper’s Bazaar
“As an artist grappling with the psychological damage done by his estranged father, Holland is a wonder of tightly contained hurt and anger. He’s got great scene partners in John Earl Jelks, Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor, and Andra Day.” ~ Richard Lawson, Vanity Fair
“Exhibiting Forgiveness doesn’t flinch from showing how dysfunctional familial relationships wound and scar repeatedly. But the film itself isn’t cynical or bitter, illustrating how art holds the power to not only help us process and recover but transform.” ~ Randy Myers, San Jose Mercury News
“True to its name, the film puts the concept of forgiveness on display and asks us to spend some time in front of it and consider it from all angles.” ~ Ross McIndoe, Slant Magazine
“Exhibiting Forgiveness proves you do not need other people’s acknowledgement or approval to find forgiveness within yourself.” ~ Valerie Complex, Deadline Hollywood Daily