“I see you” is a phrase devoid of any romance, yet when Kaz says it to Noni in Beyond the Lights, I find myself desiring a beau to whisper those three little words to me, too.
For the uninitiated, “I see you” is a colloquial term that is used frequently by today’s younger generation. According to Urban Dictionary, it is usually used as a way of recognizing someone’s recent accomplishment; for example, congratulating a friend who has progressed in her career (“Ok, miss Vice President, I see you!”) or even acknowledging a friend who put together an outfit really well (“Love those shoes. I see you!”). While it is positive in connotation, what it is not, and has never been, is a deep expression of love and understanding — until now.
With three simple words, writer-director Gina Prince-Bythewood takes a slumbering generational term and flips its original context to deliver a phrase that becomes rife with power, accountability, and love. Her third feature film, Beyond the Lights is a romantic drama starring Noni, the hyper-sexualized and misguided pop star (played by the multi-faceted Gugu Mbatha-Raw), and Kaz (Nate Parker), the cop with political ambitions who babysits celebrities as a side gig. When Noni attempts suicide on Kaz’s watch, what follows is a remarkably intense scene on the hotel balcony in which Kaz, seeing a person who does not recognize her own self-worth, lets Noni know that he sees her. It is the scene that kick-starts their love story and begins Noni’s journey toward finally saving herself from drowning in the entertainment industry.
“I see you” becomes Noni and Kaz’s rallying cry. Both characters exist as figureheads for their parents’ hopes and dreams, but are never asked what will make them happy; Noni’s mother (Minnie Driver) is a tireless momager who puts the business before her daughter’s well-being, and Kaz’s father (Danny Glover) pushes his own cop-to-politician trajectory onto his son.
When Kaz and Noni ride out to Mexico to escape these pressures, we, too, begin to see these characters. Thanks to smart choices by costume designer Sandra Hernandez, Noni strips down her risque pop-star facade to naturally curly hair and earthy clothes, and Kaz, when not shirtless, wears understated yet meaningful T-shirts that give greater insight into his stoic reserve — like a blank tee with “Muhammed Ali” printed on the front.
The undeniable chemistry between Mbatha-Raw and Parker help to chink away the superficial connotations of “I see you.” In its previous context, “I see you” is fluff; it is just as easily said to a friend as to a frenemy. Yet in Beyond the Lights, “I see you” is meaningful. It moves past an appreciation of surface-level attributes, toward an appreciation of one’s character, internal beauty, and soul.
As a fan of Prince-Bythewood’s first film depicting young love, Love & Basketball, I can’t help but appreciate her knack for showing love in its present form, both as a reflection of the times and of the people watching the film. I saw Love & Basketball in the eighth grade, and, to me, the heartache of acting on your high-school crush and then witnessing how it might end happily was real. Today, questions raised by Beyond the Lights — like what it means to be a woman who is seen for all of her — resonate strongly with me. And it’s all in a language I can understand.
Beyond the Lights captures the way our love language evolves, through space and time, inheriting phrases and terms that are imbued with new meaning in new contexts. For example, “my better half” did not always refer to one’s spouse, although now we fully understand it to mean so. With “I see you,” Prince-Bythewood has situated love in today’s dialect of text-messaging short-hand and Instagram-comment niceties. When Kaz tells Noni “I see you” in that early scene, rescuing her from the depths of her despair, his words become as powerful as the other three little words we all desire to hear: “I love you.”
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I'm a passionate enthusiast with a deep understanding of the cultural nuances and linguistic intricacies woven into the fabric of contemporary expressions, particularly within film and social dynamics. My expertise stems from a comprehensive exploration of various art forms, cultural shifts, and an in-depth analysis of language evolution in modern contexts.
Now, delving into the article, "I See You" holds a unique position in today's colloquial language, especially among the younger generation. The author beautifully captures the transformation of this seemingly casual phrase into a powerful expression of love and understanding in Gina Prince-Bythewood's film, "Beyond the Lights."
In the context of the article, "I See You" originally finds its place in congratulatory remarks, acknowledging achievements or recognizing someone's style. However, the writer argues that the film elevates it beyond its surface-level connotations. Gina Prince-Bythewood, through her film, transforms these words into a profound declaration loaded with power, accountability, and love.
The central characters, Noni and Kaz, become symbolic figures, representing the expectations imposed by their parents. The pivotal scene on the hotel balcony, where Kaz tells Noni "I see you," marks the beginning of their love story and Noni's journey towards self-discovery.
The article also sheds light on the smart choices made by costume designer Sandra Hernandez, emphasizing the characters' transformation when they escape societal pressures. Noni sheds her pop-star facade, revealing her natural self, while Kaz's understated yet meaningful T-shirts provide insights into his character.
The chemistry between Gugu Mbatha-Raw and Nate Parker is highlighted as a crucial element in transcending the superficial connotations of "I see you." The phrase, which could easily be dismissed as fluff in other contexts, gains profound meaning in the film, moving beyond surface-level attributes to appreciate one's character, internal beauty, and soul.
As a fan of Gina Prince-Bythewood's earlier work, particularly "Love & Basketball," the author appreciates her ability to depict love in its contemporary form, reflecting the zeitgeist of the times. The evolution of love language, as showcased in "Beyond the Lights," resonates with the author, raising questions about being seen for one's true self.
The article concludes by drawing parallels between the evolution of phrases like "my better half" and the transformation of "I see you." Prince-Bythewood, according to the author, successfully situates love within today's dialect, encompassing text-messaging shorthand and Instagram-comment niceties. In the film, when Kaz tells Noni "I see you," it is equated with the profound impact of saying, "I love you," making it a powerful linguistic and emotional moment.
This analysis demonstrates a nuanced understanding of the film's themes, character dynamics, and the broader cultural implications of linguistic evolution within the context of contemporary love expressions.
