In Cleveland in 1917, Garrett Morgan is a hero -- but no one knows it. Garrett invented a kind of gas mask that helped its user breathe safely while surrounded by smoke, gas and other noxious fumes. Garrett and his brother used it in a recent mining accident to rescue trapped miners in an underground inferno. Recent coverage of the accident has left their contribution out, though. Despite this, Garrett realizes his invention's value and wants to turn it into a true enterprise, making something that could make the world a better place. The problem, though, is that Garrett is Black, which makes it unlikely for much of Cleveland's business establishment to invest in him. But Garrett, convinced of his mask's value to humanity, must figure out the next step to get around the obstacle in front of him. Directed and written by Philip Musey, this short historical drama -- based on a true story of an important figure in Black and business history -- has an almost classical sheen in its craftsmanship, from the stately pacing of the storytelling to the polished, elegant look of the cinematography. The look and feel are befitting of the respect of the film for its central character, whose struggles and desire to make an impact on his community form the heart of the narrative. The narrative scope limits itself to a series of conversations between Garrett, his wife Mary, his brother Frank and Mary's brother Claude.
With an excellently structured script, much of the film's information is tucked away in the backstory, but the key obstacle emerges quickly: Garrett has made something life-saving, but he knows turning it into a viable business and company will be difficult, thanks to the specter of race. Actor Keith Arthur Bolden plays Garrett Morgan with the innate intelligence of a brilliant inventor, the compassion of a community builder and the broadmindedness of a visionary who can take the wider view. He doesn't tuck away the anger at being treated with contempt for the color of his skin, but it only steels his determination to succeed. His brother Frank wants Garrett to get credit; Garrett just wants to get his invention out in the world. So he devises a clever, audacious scheme -- one that is realistically geared for the world he's in, for an invention that will save lives well into the future. His gambit speaks to the way that those at a disadvantage have always scrambled to make a positive impact on the world with their ingenuity, however they can. Richly conceived, and ripe for expansion into a longer format, "The Inventor" celebrates the story of one brilliant Black man with a desire to change his world and better his community, beginning a tradition of entrepreneurship and contribution that is still going on today, with all its struggles and its triumphs.
