Boots Riley returns to the director's chair with a film that is as visually arresting as it is politically charged. In our I Love Boosters review, we find a project that manages to be both a chaotic romp and a deeply earnest Marxist treatise. Arriving in theaters on May 22, the film serves as a cheeky takedown of modern capitalism, delivered with the signature surrealism Riley perfected in Sorry to Bother You.
A Surreal Takedown of Capitalism
The story follows Corvette (Keke Palmer) and her crew, Mariah (Taylour Paige) and Sade (Naomi Ackie), known collectively as The Velvet Gang. They operate as "boosters"—specialists who steal high-end designer clothing to redistribute at slashed prices. Mariah cheekily describes their mission as “fashion-forward philanthropy,” a sentiment that sits at the heart of the film's exploration of workers' rights and collective action.
Riley operates in a liminal space where the bizarre is treated with total sincerity. The world of I Love Boosters features:
- Tilted luxury high-rises with steeply angled rooms.
- Cartoon physics that evoke a "Tom-and-Jerry" approach to class warfare.
- Surreal character abilities, such as Mariah's ability to transform her physical appearance by holding her breath.
This heightened reality is underscored by an eclectic, plucky score from the musical duo Tune-Yards, which punctuates the comedy with near-perfect timing.
Visual Splendor and Character Dynamics
While the themes are heavy, the film is a feast for the eyes. The production design and costuming create a striking contrast between the vibrant, maximalist wardrobes of The Velvet Gang and the sterile, monochrome landscapes of the fictional Metro Designers retail stores. The technical craft on display is immense:
- Costume Designer: Shirley Kurata
- Production Designer: Christopher Glass
- Set Decorator: Lizbeth Ayala
The film's strength lies in its performances. Keke Palmer anchors the movie as Corvette, providing a relatable emotional core of anxiety and aspiration that keeps the film grounded amidst the absurdity. She is joined by a stellar cast including Eiza González, Poppy Liu, Demi Moore, and LaKeith Stanfield.
Navigating the Absurdity
If there is a flaw in this I Love Boosters review, it is that the film occasionally drifts too far into its own eccentricities. At times, the sheer volume of distractions threatens to derail the narrative momentum. For instance, while LaKeith Stanfield delivers an enigmatic performance as the Pinky Ring Guy, his character occasionally feels more like an inside joke than a vital plot element.
However, the chemistry between the core four—The Velvet Gang and Jianhu (Poppy Liu)—remains strong. Liu performs a difficult task, seamlessly slotting into the established dynamic of Palmer, Paige, and Ackie while serving as a vital catalyst for the film's second half.
Ultimately, I Love Boosters is an improvement on Riley’s previous work. It swaps out biological oddities for a sharp critique of the billionaire class and their manipulation of public opinion. It is an incisive, hopeful piece of cinema that suggests real change is woven into the fabric of community and collective action.
