The intersection of preparation and opportunity is luck, as the saying goes. In Reza Dahya’s Boxcutter, luck is something else for young Rome (Ashton James), an aspiring rapper. Rome’s luck manifests in the form of a robbery where he loses his laptop and all his music. And thus, kicks off Boxcutter, and the hectic day that follows for Rome as he races against time to get his stuff before a potentially life and career-altering meeting with a famous producer.
But what Rome doesn’t expect, and where Boxcutter shines brightest, is the existential reckoning coming his way. As we’re introduced to Rome at the start of the film, he seems like he’s on the come up. He’s got tracks, confidence, and he’s ready for the chance to get his name out there. He’s a real artist, “my shit is cinematic,” he says to his friend Jenaya (Zoe Lewis). He’s not interested in the flashy singles or freestyles or what he perceives as shortcuts to getting traction. He makes albums. It’s clear early on that Rome has ambition. What he lacks, however, is the courage.
Rome and Jenaya go from one stop to the next in the quest to recover Rome laptop, but what they find is Rome’s deep well of self-doubt. A standout scene finds Rome and Jenaya at a club, Rome on stage being told to rap to help facilitate a soundcheck. Jenaya is the only person in the crowd, and Rome completely blows the moment, fumbling through his phone for the right verse. It’s reminiscent of the early scene from 8 Mile where Jimmy (Eminem) balks during the battle and vomits mom’s spaghetti in the bathroom. The image of Rome standing onstage, unable to say anything in front of a nearly open room is potent.
From that point on Boxcutter takes on a different vibe. It becomes about Rome’s crippling self-doubt and figuring out what it takes to actually chase your dreams. Rome’s done the work from the safety of anonymity. All that’s left is to take that final step and put himself out there, open himself up to failure or success. James’ performance is strongest when playing Rome’s insecurity.
Set in Toronto, Dahya and writer Chris Cromie are out to tell more than just Rome’s story. While Rome is the primary focus, the film makes time to spotlight the city and other artists. It creates this kaleidoscopic image of the Toronto art scene and the ways the artists overlap with each other. Boxcutter starts off like an underdog story about one young man but ends up being a story about the perseverance and dreams of a community.
