Premature

But sometimes life (or really a film’s narrative) has a way of forcing a decision. While hanging out with friends, Isaiah’s ex-girlfriend shows up, out of the blue, and needs to talk. Embarrassed and angry, the relationship faces its second hard test. It is here that Premature shows off a great deal of insight about young, teen love. It’s how this insight plays out that sets Premature above your typical YA story.

Ayanna and Isaiah are not merely fictional characters; they are real people, and the trouble that Ayanna faces affect who she is as a developing, maturing adult and does not affect her narrative as fictional stories tend to do. The story’s conflicts expose the shortcomings of each character and ultimately begs the question for Ayanna, who is the person she is about to become and is a seemingly perfect relationship going to be a part of it.

“…not merely fictional characters; they are real people and the trouble that Ayanna faces affect who she is as a developing, maturing adult…”

It helps when an actress fully understands the role placed before her. Zora Howard embodies Ayanna brilliantly. One would hope since she co-wrote the film’s story and script. She is charming and charismatic, and you’re with her the entire time. As Isaiah, Joshua Boone is clearly the supporting character to Howard’s Ayanna and masterfully straddles the line between adolescence and adulthood in his performance. Another fantastic bit of acting comes from Michelle Wilson as Ayanna’s mother and specifically in the kitchen when she figures out that Ayanna is pregnant.

Premature is teen love portrayed in an adult manner. Its grit and realism distinguish it from other teen love stories that force sappy, profound one-liners meant only for a good trailer moment. Rashaad Ernesto Green and Zora Howard make a great filmmaking team. It would be interesting to see what’s next for the two.