G (2002) Reviews

• Nothing can touch Fitzgerald

  UrbanFilmCritic2005-10-28

  Like this review, G could never capture the eloquence of F. Scott Fitzgerald. What made this movie good was the skeleton provided by Fitzgerald, what made this movie bad was the adaptation. This film had its share of corn. What the first half of the century called "melodrama" we call corny. So that is due to no fault of the producer or the screenwriter. At the same time, the timelessness of the story is what will capture the attention of the audience. On some level we all love a little melodrama. Those who have read the novel will enjoy finding the urban parallels. I was even motivated to read the book again after the screening. The enigmatic Gatsby found a counterpart in Summer G without as much mystery. Richard T. Jones is very good at playing the strong silent type. Chenoa Maxwell's Sky Hightower captured the desperate innocence of the classic's Daisy. And Blair Underwood's Chip Hightower was a Tom like no other. There was a little unnecessary comic relief and a few extra characters all building to a crescendo and an almost operatic ending. It's difficult to adapt classic novels. This is not the first attempt for The Great Gatsby. Robert Redford and Mia Farrow attempted in 1974. I found that version very boring. So in comparison G was much better but the corn factor was a little extra. All in all much more good than bad.

• Austin Movie Show review (ridiculous and racist)

  leilapostgrad2005-10-30

  You can tell a lot about a movie by its release date… or in this case, it's release YEAR. G was made in 2002, and we're finally seeing it in limited release at the end of 2005. There's a reason why studios and theaters weren't rushing to release this one. How can I describe G? It's Boyz 'N The Hood, but this time the Hood is the Hamptons. This is not The Great Gatsby that F. Scott Fitzgerald had in mind when he wrote the classic novel. However, it's certainly an original idea for movie ("There just weren't enough rap moguls in the 1920s version"), but G is by no means a good movie in any way. The black stereotypes are horrific! Four up-and-coming rappers are driving around the Hamptons complaining that they can't find Newports, 40s, or McDonalds anywhere! Yes, I laughed, but I laughed at how horrible those lines were! Don't see this movie, it's just ridiculous. The acting is as pathetic as the script. No wait, there's one great line in G: "If you ever touch my sister again, I'll stab you in the dick with a plastic spoon!" There, now you know the funniest line. Now there really is no reason to see it.

• The Hip-hop Great Gatsby

  rlockh022005-09-14

  G, The Hip-hop Great Gatsby opened the Kansas Film Festival and I got a ticket. I'm not at all a fan of Hip-hop (although Hustle and Flow was terrific!). Regardless "G" is great! Keep in mind the question the Journalist (narriator) asks everyone, "Does Hip-hop have heart?". He finally gets an answer with the last line of the movie. Richard T. Jones was mesmerizing as a "Puffy" Rap Mougel slumming in the Hamptons. If your definition of evil is selfishness carried to its logical conclusion then Blair Underwood played a true monster. Great acting job since he is such a sweet person. The movie is a bit uneven in some of the pacing and the reason why the female lead, Sky does what she does is puzzling but an extremely good-looking cast and a great soundtrack make this a movie to watch for. Writer-director Christopher Scott Cherot was at the film and gave a 30 minute Q&A on what he went through to raise the money and get the film made is so good that I hope he will repeat it on the DVD. You can tell when a studio has over-processed a film more than Spam and this is Cherot's film from star to finish. Even if you don't like Hip-Hop see it.

• A brilliant modern day reconstruction of The Great Gatsby!

  brittmerritt2002-11-20

  Andrew Lauren Productions rocks the screen with this sexy and sophisticated interpretation of the American Classic, The Great Gatsby. The cast is simply superb, while jammin' rap seated next to a sultry film noir saxophone elevate the film above its blasé contenders. This new form of Bourgeois Hip Hop embodies familiar issues of love, betrayal, and jealously, giving universal> thematic understanding and sympathy for the characters. And who better to portray the elegant complexity of Gatsby than Richard T. Jones. All in all, `G' presents a sort of filmic intelligence never before investigated, executing racial and socioeconomic devices that purge the Hamptons of it's white-bread communal exclusivity. If you thought Lizzie Grubman caused a stir, check out `G'!

• Waste of Time. (Spoilers ahead)

  msreeta-12005-11-07

  I had high hopes for this movie. Basic premise is, Girl dates struggling artist/entrepreneur in college. Girl dumps artist/entrepreneur for new rich guy who sweeps her off her feet with time and gifts. Girl runs of and marries rich guy. Years later, Artist/Entrepreneur becomes rich and famous. Girl artist/entrepreneur meet again. Old feelings still there, what will happened next?? Nothing to original about it, but still could make for an interesting story. Despite my high hopes, and, as one user commented, it's not a good sign when it takes 3 years to get a movie out there. My first complaint is that first 2 minutes basically give away the ending of the movie! It wasn't that difficult for me to figure out what would happen once I saw the opening sequence. I was hoping not to be right, and looking for a surprise ending, or a twist. Sadly, I got neither. It was just as predictable as I feared. Yeah, the actual shooter could be seen as a twist, but I saw that coming as the movie went on too. I was not impressed with Chenoa Maxwell's role or acting ability at all. She basically comes off as a money hungry ditz, who is only interested in men that will spend money on her, or bow to her every demand My advice, Save your money. It's interesting to see typical good guy Underwood play a semi-abusive womanizing jerk, but you hate his wife so much you can't be mad at him. And Richard T Jones was decent, but I would have liked to see a little more depth to him than some lovesick puppet willing to do everything for this woman who betrayed his trust in the past.