The trailer for the Nina Simone biopic, Nina has recently dropped, accruing much controversy. With the ill-advised casting choice of Zoe Saldana as the iconic singer and activist, very few people have had a positive reaction (including Simone's family).
We're no exception. Upon its release, our staff passed around the trailer like a good joint. Below, our gut reactions.
Watch the trailer for Nina and share your own one-line review:
Jason Lamphier: "This makes me so sad. To be young, gifted, and totally miscast."
Greg Garry: "It's the female equivalent of the C. Thomas Howell '80s blackface romp, Soul Man. But not funny at all, just sad."
R. Kurt Osenlund: "I don't think there's anything wrong with Zoe making her skin a little darker. She's a highly underrated actress with legit, raw talent, and she deserves roles like this, whether she's 'black enough' or not."
Glenn Garner: "Well it's better than their first choice... Jennifer Lawrence."
Genelle Levy: "For more drama queen in blackface, see Elizabeth Taylor's Young Toscanini."
Julien Sauvalle: "They should have cast Viola Davis as Nina, and Zoe as Nina's daughter. Cut. Print. Oscar."
Dan Heching: "Now Zoe can add another shade to her repertoire: blue for Avatar, green for Guardians of the Galaxy, and brown(er) for Nina!"
Les Fabian Brathwaite:
