Today’s movie is “Step Sisters” (2018), a comedy about race and identity issues surrounding a step competition, written by Chuck Hayward from “Dear White People” (2017), the Netflix series, and directed by Charles Stone III, known for “Drumline” (2002). The film centers around Jamilah (Megalyn Echikunwoke), a senior and president of her black sorority, whose ambitions of going to Harvard Law School are threatened unless she can help the predominately white sorority Sigma Beta Beta to win a step competition and save their charter.

The film has been embroiled in some controversy after the trailer debuted, with concerns over cultural appropriation. I’m not qualified at all to judge whether this film crosses that line or not. I can say that the film addresses the topic throughout, but without taking a clear side on the issue, focusing more on expressive comedic performances from the characters than settling any debates. And this proves to allow for space to address a range of issues.

Jamilah is dealing with a lot. She has the obvious challenge of secretly training SBB to win the step competition, with her friend Beth (Eden Sher) and their president, Danielle (Lyndon Smith), along with an ensemble cast of stereotypical white girls. Meanwhile, she is dealing with some issues in her current relationship with the excessively woke caucasian Dane (Matt McGorry) and a developing chemistry with Danielle’s adopted black brother, Kevin (Marque Richardson). It feels a little too close to Samantha White’s situation in “Dear White People”, one of my few criticisms.

The film does some decent background on step as SBB trains for the competition, and the step choreography is excellent. The film ultimately has to make decisions, though, with so much surrounding Jamilah, so the focus on the competition, the comedy, and the evolving relationships take precedence over a fuller history and significance of step. I’ll admit it would have been overly difficult to do that, though, without losing the great pacing in their journey.

I imagine some folks might be upset at this film, whether over the concerns about cultural appropriation, or perhaps over the characterization of mostly white or black sororities. If folks can forgive those elements, they will find a hilarious and heartfelt comedy with excellent step choreography, and maybe even a few white girl tears.

Rotten Tomatoes: NR

Metacritic: NR

One Movie Punch: 7.2/10

Podcast: onemoviepunch.libsyn.com/episode-023-step-sisters-2018

“Step Sisters” (2018) is rated PG-13 and is streaming on Netflix.

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Joseph Dobzynski, Jr.

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