Morris from America *** (2016, Markees Christmas, Craig Robinson, Carla Juri, Lina Keller) – Movie Review

Markees Christmas plays  13-year-old African-American Morris, who has come from America and is living in Heidelberg, Germany, with his dad Curtis (Craig Robinson), who coaches professional soccer there.

The film explores Morris’s romantic and coming-of-age misadventures as he attempts to learn the language, meet girls and possible even fit in with German kids. While being coached in German by the charming and patient Inka (Carla Juri), at a youth club, he falls for Katrin (Lina Keller), a provocative, teasing 15-year-old girl, who encourages him to open up and share his rapping.

Charming, amusing and enjoyable, writer-director Chad Hartigan‘s honest and truthful romantic comedy drama hits the naturalistic spot. The performances are perfect, and so, pretty close on, is the writing and directing. The film warms up almost immediately and has a lot of appeal. Like its performers, it is just very warm, convincing and attractive.

© Derek Winnert 2016 Movie Review

Check out more reviews on http://derekwinnert.com