George Washington (Review)

(Review was originally published here)

To start this review I would like to thank the Criterion Collection for bringing this timeless film to DVD. I would also like to vocalise my disappointment towards every movie distributor in Australia that passed at bringing this film here when it first came out in 2000.

When I say this film is timeless, I'm not referring to it as a film set in a certain year but its story is universal (EG Citizen Kane). This is a film that has no time. Its cinematography evokes the 80s, maybe even 70s feel but with the quality of the celluloid this film was shot on makes it feel modern, even at 17 years old.

If you could pick out one film that had an influence on David Gordon Green for this film it would be without a doubt Terrence Malick's Days of Heaven. On the surface, you would see that a lot of scenes were shot at magic hour. It's colour pallet filled with warm oranges, rich blacks and heavy highlights. The camera is an observer but not in the way of a documentary. The way the camera acts feels like the bridge between Malick's tripod heavy Days of Heaven and Steadicam heavy The Thin Red Line. I don't recall noticing any Steadicam in this film but Green implements pans and zooms to give the film a lyrical feel. Tim Orr brought Days of Heaven to a more run down, ugly part of the world

The other way Days of Heaven had an impact on this film was the plotting. George Washington doesn't care about its plot. There's no inciting incident until the 35 minute mark (out of 90 mins) and even then the film doesn't want to follow the route a screen writing book would tell you to. The film is about the memory of the summer in the small town and of its occupants. The plot becomes part of the background.

This is a summer where boys and girls lose their that last connection to their innocence and when adolescence takes over. While there is one event in the film that would certainly scare a kids life and take their innocence away for good, the film offers up a series of events that have an impact on their bringing up. The relationships between boys and girls start to become a staple these kid's lives, parents confront their kids about fears of their own and the possibility of choosing one's destiny in life before you know that's the option in front of you.

An integral part of the film that needs highlighting is the race of most of the characters. Most of the kids in this film are of African-American descent. So naturally, you would think that the director is black. In this case, that's not true. David Gordon Green was a 25 year old white male just out of film school when he made this film. Don't let that detract you from watching it. The nuances in character feel familiar from films made by black directors such as Spike Lee's 'Do the Right Thing' and Barry Jenkins's 'Moonlight'. The way these people talk is filled with inner feelings that most of the time these kids (and somewhat the adults at points) don't want to front themselves, let alone to tell their friends.

I can't talk about this film without talking about the mostly non-professional cast. The only actor you might know is Paul Schneider from his run as Mark Brendanawicz in the first two seasons of Parks and Recreation. Most of the cast never appeared in another film after this, which in a way is disappointing as some the cast showed some talent. The other way you can look at is that by having a cast of actors who would never act again works to the idea of the film in which memory plays a part. The kids would be in their 30s by now would have this movie as a snapshot of their past. Something that they will show their kids and maybe grandchildren one day.

The accompaniment of both editing and score in this film brings out Green's direction to another level. The editing makes sure the film flows as I am sure what Green wanted. The never scene stealing score adds to the idea of an alluring but deceptive memory of the last summer as kids for the children in this film.

The films rendition and capture of a North Carolina town is beautiful yet haunting as the kids live their summer. Thanks to Green's flowing direction, the editing, score and Orr's cinematography the performances of this film make this film a beauty to behold in all its grace. David Gordon Green's career has gone to places you wouldn't expect after making a movie like this (he directed Pineapple Express) but it never dulled the influence it had on future film makers such as David Lowery (Ain't Them Body Saints and A Ghost Story) and Barry Jenkins (Moonlight). This is a movie worth seeking out a copy of.

Overall Score: 10/10

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Writer/Director: David Gordon Green

Cast: Donald Holden, Curtis Cotton III, Rachael Handy, Damian Jewan Lee and Paul Schneider

Cinematography: Tim Orr

Editing: Zene Baker and Steven Gonzales

Score: Michael Linnen and David Wingo