(This had been sitting in my drafts for way too long lol)
This camera test literally could be used in film school to showcase chemistry. It’s not even something that can be replicated, but an example of the natural chemistry two people have being the catalyst for building even deeper chemistry through building intimacy (closeness), the work they are doing, time spent together, and preparation (like the playlists).
It’s crazy to me that this is the first time they were on camera and you could absolutely feel it. Like you don’t feel like you’re watching two actors act…it feels like watching a couple in their own world.
We already know that the whole room (Ryan, Zinzi, Sev, Francine, etc.) felt IT when Wunmi & MBJ did their chemistry read so much so that she was offered the role in the ROOM. I don’t think folks think about how unheard of that is. Even though Ryan already decided long before that Wunmi was his Annie…that chemistry read still was make or break. If she & MBJ didn’t have the level of chemistry needed it would be dead in the water.
The chemistry between MBJ & whoever played Annie had to be a lot stronger than MBJ and whoever played Mary…just based on their roles in the movie and first and foremost their relationship. We (as the audience) had to believe that even for someone with such a hard exterior like Smoke that Annie is the love of his life, someone he lets his walls down for and shows sides of him no one else is privy to. Someone where whether it’s in passionate foreplay or even in dire situations he is able to let her take the lead. We also have to believe in an intimacy so close they have a short hand that is non verbal at times…it could be an intense stare, a plead for answers, an affirmation showing they trusted each other the most, a gaze showing all that unreleased passion as well as always being in each other’s vicinity side by side & each touch a further signifier of their bond. We had to feel like this was a man who would KILL for her and protect her in every way. A man who yearns for her in a way that only grew in his absence…where we can feel their passion for each other throughout, leading up to, and during sex. A man who for the first time actually acted on his own wants needs and desires for her. A man who never wanted to leave because when he found her he found home. A man who felt a love so deep for Annie that he would leave EVERYTHING behind (including immortality with his brother) to follow her into the afterlife so that they would never be apart again. And Wunmi showed us that it had to be HER. & they exceeded all expectations and more which is why we all just want more of them 🥹😭.
Like I actually need to see that chemistry read in FULL.
Imagine this being the first time on camera and the chemistry being so RAW it could be felt in maybe a 40 second clip.
Like they knew that this was lightning in a bottle. Even Michael and Wunmi seemed surprised at just how much chemistry was there.
I know proximity is holding onto some good bts shit we haven't even seen yet
I wanted to go moment by moment from the camera test snippet which I made into three gifs (sorry in advance for the quality) but here we go.
First, the way that throughout this clip Michael’s eyes are locked on Wunmi. When they are both facing forward, in true Smoke fashion, his focus is sharp and intense (even for the few seconds it lasts) as his eyes are taking in her figure. Maintaining the eye contact as they turn and instead of it breaking it, he just redirects it to her eyes. Then, as he readjusts her necklace and makes sure her earrings look as th. The clear but subtle Michael’s eye are locked on even when Wunmi is staring straight ahead, As they both turn to face each other, he immediately locks his eyes on hers.
Then, he moves into simple actions that may feel subtle but show the intimacy between them.
It’s less about *really* fixing her sleeves, straightening her earrings, and readjusting her necklace and more about establishing and maintaining physical contact with each adjustment.
Brushing her neck as he touches her chains and “levels her earrings
Starting at her shoulders as he pulls the inner collar of the dress before sweeping his hands down her sleeves.
Wunmi going from a neutral disposition to a brighter one when she is facing him. Smiling as she begins to talk as if this is natural part of Smoke and Annie’s routine.
Wunmi starting with a stare before she shyly (in a flirty manner) looks away just to regain eye contact as he walks up on her. Then, she begins talking with the same confidence she had as she gestures to the earrings he just touched.
Michael glancing up and down with his head fully tilted between her chest and eyes in repetition. Alternating between the same sharp focus and an uncharacteristic smirk that even shows a dimple.
Closing every inch of distance so that they are now chest to chest.
Chest open with his shoulders back as his eyes are glued to Wunmi’s as he approaches with his whole focus being on her with his head tilted up and eyes low even if he isn’t fully listening (knowing him he is though) because he is so transfixed by her—just in her natural state. Wearing what she normally would, smiling how she would, confidently stating a point as she would.
The gentle sway he takes that shows the confidence, swagger, and the attraction he feels in each step which only adds to the suggestiveness of his final glance between her eyes and chest.
Intense, hungry eye contact is absolutely foreplay (or the start of it) for them as we see in the movie.
Very much on his grown man.
Following regaining eye contact, Wunmi continues talking with the same expression and energy and is seemingly asking for his opinion. She mirrors him not breaking eye contact as she waits for the response completely in sync. As she hears his response, she not only accepts it but is clearly feeling what he said. The head tilt while turning her head with a flirtatiously amused expression (like an "okayyy" iykyk). Then, she ends with finding his eyes again and tilting her head up which is even more direct as she nods.
Michael continues with the direct eye contact he's maintained since the "walk up" only breaking it to take in every facial feature, how her hair is styled, her accessories, and her dress before clearly responding affirmatively because of course Smoke would love her look from head to toe. Smoke replying in that matter of fact way while intensifying the eye contact after he replies as if to accentuate or back up what he said. He even gestures to reflect he is feeling her whole get up but it's limited due to how physically close they are. The glances that follow linger longer here at her eyes, lips/mouth, and chest. Then, he ends how he started with a head tilted glance from head to chest before ending with an intense, searing full eye contact gaze.
Still in my mind rent free, ngl.
I've said all this to say that building from/starting with this level of chemistry then somehow even doubling, tripling, etc. it is a special thing. Decades ago, it was a little more common to see in acting duos but know its even more rare.
Even more rare to see it bleed from the set and screen to interviews, carpet moments, etc. True lightning in a bottle chemistry and I hope they work together again.
Knowing me, I’m sure this will inspire a fanfic down the line lol.
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