Turner's POV: A Fresh Look at 'Nickel Boys'

In the movie "Nickel Boys, " director RaMell Ross did something unique. Instead of the usual camera angles, he decided to show the story from one character's point of view – Turner, played by Brandon Wilson. This isn't just a fancy trick. It means the camera, operated by Sam Ellison, sticks with Turner like a shadow.When Turner's friend, Elwood Curtis, played by Ethan Herisse, gets into trouble and is sent to Nickel Academy, his grandmother Hattie, played by Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor, comes to visit. But she can't hug Elwood, so she hugs Turner instead. This scene is special because, with the camera as Turner's eyes, Aunjanue has to act differently. She can't look into another actor's eyes; she has to look into the lens. This might sound tricky, but it actually helps her performance. Aunjanue says it made her feel lonely and isolated, just like her character Hattie. And that makes her performance even more real. It's like giving the audience glasses to see the world through Turner's eyes. It's a clever way to make the story more personal and engaging.