George Washington - Criterion Collection

Rating:
Summary: a somewhat surrealistic film
Review: This review is for the Criterion Collection DVD edition of the film.

David Gordon Green's first comercially available release, "George Washington" is the story of a group of lower class young teens spending summer in their rural North Carolina hometown. When one is accidentally killed in a tragic accident, they cover up their involvement.

The film has VERY impressive acting for a film where the principal cast had no prior acting experience. The film is well photographed and the filming locations were well chosen. The film reminded me somewhat of Jon Avnet's 1994 film, "The War" which also is about a group of young teens in a rural southern town. Both films also feature racial integration which I am strongly in favor of.

David Gordon Green hs done an excelent job with this film and is bound to become a very prolific independent film director.

The Criterion DVD has some excellent special features too.

Character actor Clu Gulager's short film, "A Day with the Boys" is included as it was an influence on Green. This film with no standard dialog, depeicts a group of boys who coerce a buisnessman to play war games with them.

There is also an interview with Green which was originally broadast on the Charlie Rose show.

There is also a cast reunion featuring interviews, optional commentary by Green, cinematographer Tim Orr, and actor Paul Schneider. There is a theatrical trailer and a deleted scene with optional commentary.

Also featured are two films Green made while a student at film school.

The film "Physical Pinball" is about a widower who copes with his daughter becoming an adolescent.
The film "Pleasant Grove" is about a boy who finds a stray dog and hides it from his cynophobic father. this one aso includes optional commentary.

This is a film indie fans may like. Others may find it boring.