Stockholm Syndrome (2021 Tribeca Film Festival); Grade: C+
Strictly Films welcomes you back to more coverage of this year's 2021 Tribeca Film Festival! Our next film on the block: Stockholm Syndrome. Stockholm Syndrome is a documentary film that centers around New York rapper A$AP Rocky. The documentary covers A$AP Rocky's life from humble beginnings, his unfortunate situation that happened during a scuffle in Sweden, and the aftermath of that situation.
Stockholm Syndrome regarding style wise has a fair amount to compliment. There are some cool looking visuals, whether it be the handrawn animation as Rocky talks about his life in the beginning and especially the clay stop motion animation as Rocky talks about what it's like to be in a cell in Sweden. The thing that I have to critique about the style is most certainly the court case sequences, as I really wish this film made those sequences a lot more appealing like the cell and beginnings sequences. It just shows a picture of whom is speaking in the trial, which I didn't understand this choice at all. I mean if you're going to make the other stuff creative, why don't you make this sequence creative as well?!
Substance wise... Felt very average. I think the best part of this entire documentary is going through A$ap's life from his early years, his relationship with his parents, his relationship with A$AP Yams, and his passion for fashion. Felt very grounded and interesting per say, like I enjoyed learning about A$AP Rocky as a person. I felt the last forty minutes or so was actually very moving as it displays a very lovely message as well. A$AP's experience in the Sweden Cell really brought out a lot of good in Mr. Rocky, as he wanted to give back and spread awareness towards people like him in this situation. But more importantly: A$AP took this opportunity to spread unity, forgiveness, and love. Won't spoil what happens, but it was honestly a genuine sweet moment during those last ten minutes.
The achilles heel towards Stockholm Syndrome was most certainly the trail... I found it extremely boring. It felt just a regular everyday court case, didn't really had me going at all, like I wasn't nervous or on the edge of my seat what is bound to happen when hearing those partaking in this trial. That's why I'm surprised they didn't put in any creative chops in this sequence, to where it could be much more interesting to say the least. A$AP Rocky's comments on President Trump during the end... Eh. Rocky in some way has a point, as he claims Trump made the situation in some way worst due to the fact he didn't have no knowledge on the justice system in Sweden. However as A$AP Rocky preaches about love and being more understanding to become a better person for the future, I don't feel that moment correlates to how Rocky should respond in that situation. Like President Trump did actually made a valid attempt to help and even bring on his best guy to go all the way over to Sweden and help Rocky out. I'm not much of a fan of wanting to receive appreciation for doing something nice, but in this case... Yeah why didn't he just gave them a simple thank you?! We understand Trump made a small mistake, however he still put in a fair amount of effort to help you, so I don't think a jab at him wasn't the right thing to say, and kind of contradicts what Rocky's been saying earlier. I mean you forgave those that wanted to see you rot in jail on Instagram because of your past comments on a group, why couldn't you forgive Trump who wanted to get you home safely for making a tad mistake?! Be consistent.
Overall, Stockholm Syndrome was fine. I recommend checking this one out, it's a fine watch. -Mitch Smietana