George Washington...DVD Review...

George Washington was the first President of the United States. We all know this. However, most people do not know about this true gem of a film that shares the same name. George Washington was the first film from director David Gordon Green, who later this week will be releasing The Pineapple Express starring Seth Rogen and James Franco. So, in honor of that upcoming release, and my recent viewings of Undertow and All The Real Girls, I decided to revisit one of my favorite films of the past decade, and boy was it even better on a second viewing...

George Washington is a story about a group of kids who live in a small, decrepit rural town who are brought together through a horrible accident. A young, African American boy is dumped by his girlfriend, Nasia, who then becomes involved with the shy boy, George. George is a young kid who can't fully live his life as his head hasn't fully hardened yet. He has a skull similar to that of a young infant. However, these three kids, and the rest of their friend's lives will be changed after a horrible accident and then cover up.

As I said in the intro to this, this film is directed by the great David Gordon Green whose most recent film was Snow Angels, which will be released on DVD later this month. He may best be known for All The Real Girls, and his infatuation for realism and naturalism. This film is a perfect example. Each character is fleshed out and the performances behind them are really amazing. The script is delivered by these young actors so perfectly and honest that it almost gives the film a surrealistic feel to it. It's shot so that the visuals don't overrule the performances either. Sure, there are tracking shots and all of the Green staples, but they are used in an artistic way. It's based around a rural town, and the pallet fits that perfectly. It's very rustic and earthy, and feels almost like a smaller, less sprawling Terrence Malik film. Also, and this may be the biggest positive, is the story is completely compelling and will keep you glued to your t.v. set. The biggest surprise however, was Paul Schnieder as Rico Rice. He was Ryan Gosling's brother in Lars and The Real Girl and was also in last years Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford, and proves here why he is one actor every needs to look out for. If there is one negative that I must get into, it is that during some of the parts it can't get a little slow. However, it's simply character introductions, and their interchanges, which makes the film all the more powerful. Please, before you see Pineapple Express, or any other film for that matter, please, check out George Washington...

9/10

Alright guys! So, in the next few days, you can expect some news, a top 10, some recommendations and possibly a DVD review or two (Harsh Times???)!!

Go see something good!!