Binge or Cringe: ‘Beauty in Black’ Explores Sex Trafficking and All of its Friends
Tales about rags and riches often have a dark side. Beauty in Black explores the hidden agendas of wealthy business owners by exposing two-sided facades and hidden schemes that do not benefit consumers. The secrets of a multimillion dollar family who own a cosmetics company overlap with a stripper who unknowingly enters their world. The company is run by the cut-throat businesswoman, Mallory Bellarie (Crystle Stewart). While amplifying her “America’s sweetheart” personality for the cameras, Mallory cares about nothing except money. Even if that means letting millions of people who use her brand die of cancer. Her obsession with keeping up appearances is further portrayed through her marriage to Roy (Julian Horton) — the son of the company’s founder and a constantly intoxicated rich-boy who never works. In their attempt to cover up their mess of a relationship, many events lead to the pillars holding up their company in place to violently crash down into the realities of their greed.
Meet Kimmie
Kimme (Taylor Polidore) is a young woman with a large debt forced on her that can only be paid off at a strip club. She reluctantly works nights with her best friend Rain (Amber Reign Smith) but often expresses her desire to be released from her current life. Her first attempt at escaping is entering a scholarship contest, however, results are never clearly stated to the audience. Her second attempt is more devious and involves Roy and his wife. Without knowing of Roy’s identity as one of the trustees of the company, “Beauty in Black,” Kimmie plays along with his narcissistic tendencies so she can take her chance at ensuring her freedom. Unfortunately, the first part of this series sees no fruition to Kimmie’s plan. Instead, episodes one through eight are disappointing follow ups to Kimmie’s character who was introduced as having a lot of potential. Moreover, her inability to take initiative is infuriating especially when her character takes daring moves in the pilot episode.
What sets this series apart is its adherence to the vision of Tyler Perry Studios to create a digital platform for marginalized voices who are often discarded. This story of a young stripper who strives for freedom represents Perry’s ultimate goal of giving a voice to the underdog. The visuals of this series are well done. With high-quality cinematography and a soundtrack that adds tension when needed, Beauty in Black shares production aspects with popular television of today.
While Beauty in Black’s presentation is commendable for its high-quality, the first part of the series falls short in its development of characters through the situations they are put in. Dealing with dark topics such as trafficking, exploitation, and murder, the series is not an easy watch. However, Kimmie’s refusal to accept her circumstances is what makes Beauty in Black interesting. Audiences can’t help but root for her as we watch different scenarios unfold.
Was it Binge or Cringe?
While following Tyler Perry Studios in its initial phases, one hopes to encounter unforgettable cinema. Although the quality of cinematography is commendable and settings are memorable, there is a lot left to be desired. For one, the dialogue is filled with obscenities and characters often degrading one another. These conversations are not balanced out with heartfelt scenes enough for the series to create a connection with its audience. Instead, viewers are left with bitterness towards the situation of the protagonist and indignance for the unfair events she faces.
Who Will Like It?
Beauty in Black is the type of drama series for audiences who enjoy exciting tension and twists with every episode. A plot-driven show like this one is not recommended for viewers who prefer to watch a character grow as they face obstacles that are thrown at them. Instead, this series appeals to those who like to watch characters react to life-or-death moments with quick wit and little bit of luck.
