I Will Follow

I Will Follow is a 2010 independent drama movie, directed and written by Ava DuVernay for AFFRM. The movie follows the story of a woman named Maye (Salli Richardson-Whitfield) who is attempting to grieve the death of her famous, vibrant Aunt Amanda (Beverly Todd), who may or may not have committed suicide.

The movie is set in the course of a single day as Maye packs Amanda's belongings and hosts visitors who carry their own troubled memories of Amanda. Her clients, her niece, and her ex-boyfriend all make an appearance throughout the day, each bringing their individual insights on life, love, and family.

Maye is a Hollywood makeup artist who chose to limit her lifestyle to be with her dying Aunt Amanda in her final months. Amanda was a hugely successful musician in a different era, with an extensive fanbase and resided comfortably in a huge mansion in the Hollywood Hills. As Maye prepares for the movers to arrive, she reflects on the memories, disagreements, and ultimately the wonderful love she shared with Aunt Amanda, who helped raise and also inspired her as a person. Maye's inner journey unfolds as her memories of her deceased aunt bring forth her own undoing while preparing her for a life-changing journey ahead.

As the visitors come and go, Maye shares personal struggles with each, showing them a side of herself that they have never seen before, most notably her uncle and former lover Franckie (Omari Hardwick), who barely acknowledges her throughout the day.

Maye interacts with Amanda's past band member (Michole Briana White) who reveals the secrets of her past quarrels with Aunt Amanda. She also comes across her Aunt Amanda's young mentee, Raven (Tracie Thoms) and her musician boyfriend (Damien Dante Wayans) who pay their condolences and consider what they’ll do without Aunt Amanda's guidance.

Throughout the movie, Maye and the visitors share emotional, genuine conversations about love and pain, fate and forgiveness, leading to Maye having to confront the truth of her close relationship with Franckie, despite their differences. As these conversations take place, Maye's sadness and frustration slowly transform into a resolution and a newfound understanding.

The director, DuVernay, uses evocative filmmaking to portray the complexities of familial relationships and the pain of loss. The characters are not perfect, and the dialogue seems realistic, raw, and emotional. The intimacy laced in every conversation which questions what moves people to do what they do, makes for fascinating viewing throughout.

Salli Richardson-Whitfield's portrayal of Maye is believable and authentic, as she brings a grounded sensibility to the role with relatable struggles and conflicts of her own. Although her interactions with the visitors are brief and left somewhat unsaid, they add more to understanding her intentions and motives.

Overall, I Will Follow is an emotionally compelling, introspective film that explores loss, grief, and the universal human experience of saying goodbye to our loved ones. It's a thought-provoking tale of personal discovery that delves into different aspects of human emotions, captured through the prism of Maye's grief-stricken journey.