Donald Glover wrote and executive produced a 25-minute short film with a haiku’s deceptive simplicity. Clapping for the Wrong Reasons could be interpreted as a day in the life of Childish Gambino, though not a promotion for any specific product. This may just be – *gasp* – art for art’s sake.
The story is basic at best, framing in and out of Glover/Gambino’s daily existence, which doesn’t feel mendacious as it showcases the young rapper/actor wandering through a gorgeous, enormous house, working on beats, hanging out with friends and being annoyed by his mooch brother. Then we have him jumping into an amazing pool with a beautiful girl, his phone in his pocket and not a single fuck to give. It’s without payoff or conflict, beyond the ten-ton-silence phone conversation with a debt collector… and the nose moment. I won’t spoil it for you.
Don’t look for “Community”s Troy here. The quietly morose 25-minute movie is hypnotizing in its simplicity, but speaks of a hollowness with flares of muted companionship.
And who’s the girl?
