George Washington (film)

Last updated

George Washington
George Washington Film.jpg
The Criterion Collection DVD cover
Directed by David Gordon Green
Written byDavid Gordon Green
Produced by
  • Sam Froelich
  • David Gordon Green
  • Sacha W. Mueller
  • Lisa Muskat
Starring
  • Candace Evanofski
  • Curtis Cotton III
  • Donald Holden
  • Damian Jewan Lee
  • Rachael Handy
  • Paul Schneider
Cinematography Tim Orr
Edited by
Music by
Production
companies
  • Youandwhatarmy Filmed Challenges
  • Blue Moon Film Productions
  • Down Home Entertainment
Distributed byCowboy Pictures
Release dates
  • February 11, 2000 (2000-02-11)(Berlinale) [1]
  • October 27, 2000 (2000-10-27)(United States)
Running time
90 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Budget$42,000
Box office$283,846

George Washington is a 2000 American drama film written and directed by David Gordon Green in his directorial debut. Its story centers on a group of children in a depressed small town in North Carolina who band together to cover up a tragic mistake.

Contents

The film premiered at the 50th Berlin International Film Festival and received critical acclaim.

Plot

The film follows a group of kids growing up in a depressed rural town in North Carolina, as seen through the eyes of 12-year-old Nasia. After breaking up with her show-off boyfriend Buddy, she withdraws from her delinquent friends and becomes romantically interested in a strange, introverted boy named George Richardson, who is burdened by the fact that his skull never hardened after birth. Tragedy strikes when George accidentally kills Buddy, and he and his friends, Vernon and Sonya, fearing punishment, decide to hide Buddy's body. In the event's aftermath, George takes up the unlikely role of town hero.

Cast

Production

George Washington marked David Gordon Green's feature film debut as a screenwriter, film director and film producer. [2] It was also the first feature film role for actor Eddie Rouse. [2]

Reception

The film has an 84% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on 63 reviews, with an average rating of 7.4/10. The website's critical consensus reads, "Languid and melancholy, George Washington is a carefully observed rumination on adolescence and rural life." [3] On Metacritic, the film has a weighted average score of 82 out of 100, based on 19 critics, indicating “universal acclaim.” [4] Roger Ebert of the Chicago Sun-Times selected it as one of the ten best films of 2000, [5] as did Time and New York Times critic Elvis Mitchell. [6]

In Roger Ebert's four star review, he called the cinematography by Tim Orr the best of the year, also writing "it is not about plot, but about memory and regret. It remembers a summer that was not a happy summer, but there will never again be a summer so intensely felt, so alive, so valuable." [7] Jonathan Rosenbaum of the Chicago Reader gave the film a favorable review, writing "You have to bring a lot of yourself to this film if you want it to give something back, but the rewards are considerable." [8] Mick LaSalle of the San Francisco Chronicle called it "a director's baby from the opening frames" and "not like any other movie. That, in itself, makes it something to see. Writer-director David Gordon Green, in his feature debut, has created a visually and emotionally consistent universe." [9] Rolling Stone 's Peter Travers called David Gordon Green "a writer and director of rare grace and feeling", whose directorial debut is of "startling originality that will haunt you for a good, long time." [10] Joe Leydon of Variety was one of ten critics (out of 56) to give the film a negative review, calling it an "undistinguished and uninvolving attempt to offer a rural spin on Kids ". [1]

Related Research Articles

<i>A.I. Artificial Intelligence</i> 2001 film by Steven Spielberg

A.I. Artificial Intelligence is a 2001 American science fiction film directed by Steven Spielberg. The screenplay by Spielberg and screen story by Ian Watson were loosely based on the 1969 short story "Supertoys Last All Summer Long" by Brian Aldiss. Set in a futuristic society, the film stars Haley Joel Osment as David, a childlike android uniquely programmed with the ability to love. Jude Law, Frances O'Connor, Brendan Gleeson and William Hurt star in supporting roles.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Melanie Griffith</span> American actress (born 1957)

Melanie Richards Griffith is an American actress. She began her career in the 1970s, appearing in several independent thriller films before achieving mainstream success in the mid-1980s.

<i>The Cell</i> (film) 2000 science fiction psychological horror film

The Cell is a 2000 science fiction psychological thriller film directed by Tarsem Singh in his directorial debut, and starring Jennifer Lopez, Vince Vaughn, and Vincent D'Onofrio. The film follows scientists as they use experimental technology to enter the mind of a comatose serial killer in order to locate where he has hidden his latest kidnap victim.

<i>Deep Cover</i> 1992 film directed by Bill Duke

Deep Cover is a 1992 American crime thriller film directed by Bill Duke from a screenplay by Henry Bean and Michael Tolkin. The film stars Laurence Fishburne, Jeff Goldblum, and Charles Martin Smith. Its plot focuses on a Cincinnati-based police officer who goes undercover in a Los Angeles sting operation to bring down a West Coast drug cartel.

<i>The Gift</i> (2000 film) 2000 American supernatural thriller film

The Gift is a 2000 American supernatural horror thriller film directed by Sam Raimi, with a screenplay written by Billy Bob Thornton and Tom Epperson based on the alleged psychic experiences of Thornton's mother.

<i>Stealing Beauty</i> 1996 film

Stealing Beauty is a 1996 drama film directed by Bernardo Bertolucci and starring Liv Tyler, Joseph Fiennes, Jeremy Irons, Sinéad Cusack, and Rachel Weisz. Written by Bertolucci and Susan Minot, the film is about a young American woman who travels to a lush Tuscan villa near Siena to stay with family friends of her poet mother, who recently died. The film was an international co-production between France, Italy, and the United Kingdom, and was Tyler's first leading film role.

<i>Nutty Professor II: The Klumps</i> 2000 film by Peter Segal

Nutty Professor II: The Klumps is a 2000 American comedy film directed by Peter Segal. It is the sequel to the 1996 film The Nutty Professor and final installment in the remake series.

<i>The Cats Meow</i> 2001 film by Peter Bogdanovich

The Cat's Meow is a 2001 historical drama film directed by Peter Bogdanovich, and starring Kirsten Dunst, Eddie Izzard, Edward Herrmann, Cary Elwes, Joanna Lumley, Jennifer Tilly, and Ronan Vibert. The screenplay by Steven Peros is based on his 1997 play of the same title, which was inspired by the mysterious death of film mogul Thomas H. Ince that occurred on William Randolph Hearst's yacht during a weekend cruise celebrating Ince's birthday in November 1924. Among those in attendance were Hearst's longtime companion and film actress Marion Davies, fellow actor Charlie Chaplin, writer Elinor Glyn, columnist Louella Parsons, and actress Margaret Livingston. The film provides a speculative assessment on the unclear manner of Ince's death.

<i>Lovely & Amazing</i> 2001 film by Nicole Holofcener

Lovely and Amazing is a 2001 American comedy-drama film written and directed by Nicole Holofcener.

<i>Dreamer</i> (2005 film) 2005 American film

Dreamer is a 2005 American sports drama film written and directed by John Gatins in his directorial debut. The film stars Kurt Russell, Kris Kristofferson, Elisabeth Shue and Dakota Fanning. It is inspired by the true story of an injured Thoroughbred racehorse named Mariah's Storm. The film premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 10, 2005 and was theatrically released on October 21, 2005 by DreamWorks Pictures. The film received mixed reviews from critics, and earned $39.5 million on a $32 million budget. It also received a Critics' Choice Award nomination for Best Family Film.

<i>Undertow</i> (2004 film) 2004 American psychological thriller film

Undertow is a 2004 American psychological thriller film co-written and directed by David Gordon Green and starring Jamie Bell, Devon Alan, Dermot Mulroney and Josh Lucas. Taking place in Georgia, the film tells the story of two boys pursued by a murderous uncle.

<i>Waking the Dead</i> (film) 2000 American film

Waking the Dead is a 2000 mystery drama film directed by Keith Gordon and starring Billy Crudup and Jennifer Connelly. The screenplay by Robert Dillon is based on the 1986 novel of the same name by Scott Spencer.

<i>Back Roads</i> (1981 film) 1981 film by Martin Ritt

Back Roads is a 1981 American romantic comedy film starring Sally Field and Tommy Lee Jones. It is directed by Martin Ritt. It got middling reviews and grossed $11 million at the box office. This was the first film produced by CBS Theatrical Films. The film was distributed by Warner Bros.

<i>The Nutty Professor</i> (1996 film) 1996 American film

The Nutty Professor is a 1996 American science fiction comedy film starring Eddie Murphy. It is a remake of the 1963 film of the same name, which starred Jerry Lewis, which itself was a parody of Robert Louis Stevenson's 1886 novella Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde. The film co-stars Jada Pinkett, James Coburn, Larry Miller, Dave Chappelle, and John Ales. Filming began on May 8, 1995 and concluded on September 8, 1995. The original music score was composed by David Newman. The film won Best Makeup at the 69th Academy Awards.

<i>Starting Out in the Evening</i> 2007 American film

Starting Out in the Evening is a 2007 American drama film directed by Andrew Wagner. The screenplay by Wagner and Fred Parnes is based on the novel of the same name by Brian Morton.

<i>Hesher</i> (film) 2010 American film

Hesher is a 2010 American comedy drama film written and directed by Spencer Susser in his feature directorial debut, from a screenplay by Susser and David Michôd, and based on a story by Brian Charles Frank. Starring Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Rainn Wilson, Natalie Portman, Piper Laurie, and Devin Brochu, the film follows the titular rebellious metalhead and his misadventures with a depressed teenage boy coming to terms with the death of his mother in a car crash.

<i>Life Itself</i> (2014 film) 2014 American film

Life Itself is a 2014 American biographical documentary film about Chicago film critic Roger Ebert, directed by Steve James and produced by Zak Piper, James and Garrett Basch. The film is based on Ebert's 2011 memoir of the same name. It premiered at the 2014 Sundance Film Festival and was an official selection at the 67th Cannes Film Festival. The 41st Telluride Film Festival hosted a special screening of the film on August 28, 2014. Magnolia Pictures released the film theatrically in the United States and simultaneously via video on demand platforms on July 4, 2014.

Steven Peros is an American playwright, director and screenwriter of film and television. He is the author of both the stage play and screenplay for The Cat's Meow, which was made into the 2002 Lionsgate film directed by Peter Bogdanovich and starring Kirsten Dunst, Eddie Izzard, Edward Herrmann, Cary Elwes, Jennifer Tilly, and Joanna Lumley.

Eddie Rouse was an American character actor whose feature film credits included American Gangster, The Number 23, and Pineapple Express. Rouse starred in the 2014 dramatic short film, Rat Pack Rat, as a Sammy Davis impersonator hired to perform at a birthday party. He was filming the HBO television series, Westworld, at the time of his death in 2014.

References

  1. 1 2 Leydon, Joe (April 17, 2000). "George Washington". Variety. Retrieved July 9, 2020.
  2. 1 2 Barnes, Mike (December 8, 2014). "Character Actor Eddie Rouse Dies at 60". The Hollywood Reporter . Retrieved December 21, 2014.
  3. ↑ "George Washington". Rotten Tomatoes . Retrieved April 11, 2011.
  4. ↑
  5. ↑ Ebert, Roger (December 31, 2000). "Ebert's Top Movies of 2000". Chicago Sun-Times . Retrieved November 3, 2013.
  6. ↑ "Best of 2000 - Year-end Awards and Nominations". Metacritic. Archived from the original on February 7, 2005. Retrieved October 22, 2022.
  7. ↑ Ebert, Roger (January 26, 2001). "George Washington". Chicago Sun-Times. Archived from the original on November 14, 2005. Retrieved April 11, 2011.
  8. ↑ Rosenbaum, Jonathan (October 17, 2000). "George Washington". Chicago Reader. Archived from the original on October 17, 2012. Retrieved April 11, 2011.
  9. ↑ LaSalle, Mick (January 26, 2001). "'Washington's' Truth: Vivid tale of adolescents has uniqueness of art". San Francisco Chronicle . Retrieved April 11, 2011.
  10. ↑ Travers, Peter (December 10, 2000). "George Washington". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on August 9, 2013. Retrieved October 22, 2022.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.