In the early days of "Passing", the screenwriter and director Rebecca Hall (Rebecca Hall) had a scene in this restrained and quiet drama about race, identity, and society in New York in the 1920s, Alexander Skarsgard. (Alexander Skarsgård) The peculiar social character John Bellew is talking about how he despises black people so much. "I hate them," he said with a smile.

What he didn't realize was that his wife Claire (Ruth Nega, nominated for an Oscar for "Love") and her friend Irene Redfield (Tessa Thompson)—it was him who The people who were talking to were all black. They passed as whites to varying degrees: Claire has become deeply ingrained in white society, while Irene has a foothold in both the black and white world. But they all succeeded in fooling John. John's racism blinded him so much that he could no longer see what was in front of him. 

This is the biggest leap required for "passing" based on Nella Larsen's nearly 100-year-old novel. The film is deeply ingrained in black and white issues and shot in bright black and white tones. Although photography conveys a warm mood, the story is quite tepid. A gentle character study involving mysterious, taboo romantic and political elements has never reached a boiling point. 

Irene was introduced very early when she entered a luxury hotel on a hot day. She passed by as White so that she could enjoy the ice-cold tea under the glass atrium and escape her life for a moment. There, she saw Claire, a childhood acquaintance she had never seen in 12 years, maybe not. The arrogant Claire allowed herself to return to Irene's life and used her to experience her (black) life in Harlem. This ultimately aroused Irene's inner jealousy, insecurity and ultimate desire.  

Irene has two boys, is married to a doctor (Andre Holland of "Moonlight Boys"), and works on a committee that organizes social activities for the Black Welfare League. She strives to protect her children from the fear of racism, while her husband pays more attention to the reality of the world and its place in it, and is eager to leave the United States behind. Once again, she was torn apart. 

The same is true of her friendship with Claire, Claire is a free soul and social interloper, she has awakened Irene's world in many ways, good or bad. Both Thompson and Negga performed well and matched the intimacy of Hall’s storytelling (Hall’s grandfather was Black, who spent most of his life as White). But as a movie, "Passing By" feels a bit immature and has a sudden and unsatisfactory ending. This is a movie that feels like it has crossed too many worlds. 

PG-13 level: subject material, some racial slander and smoking