I loved this film - I love the episodic story, which unfolds at a languid, lifelike pace - this subtlety captures the feel of life in a Southern city (GEORGE WASHINGTON was filmed in Winston-Salem, NC, one of the older and more industrial cities in the state, with a cast of locals) very realistically. You don't see a trace of the mint julieps-and-kudzu (or hamfisted BLUE VELVET/DELIVERANCE freakfests) version of the South still favored by filmmakers who set stories in the region.
I also love - finally - seeing a film with a fascinating story, enacted through a predominantly black cast that dodges the clichés and stereotypes seen in 'black film' (whether from black or white directors), and Green's love for allowing his actors' personalities room to express themselves should serve him well in the future. Characters here are allowed to dream and imagine, and there are moments when this film soars with a shimmering expressiveness - brought down to earth with a few well-placed dramatic turns, but still rather magical overall. The similarities with Terrence Malick and Charles Burnett are obvious; but sparseness and the unobtrusive ability to see the complexity and dignity within characters also favorably recalls some Ozu, Eric Rohmer and Satyajit Ray, and if Green isn't yet their equal, he's still well ahead most of his indie film contemporaries.
I also love - finally - seeing a film with a fascinating story, enacted through a predominantly black cast that dodges the clichés and stereotypes seen in 'black film' (whether from black or white directors), and Green's love for allowing his actors' personalities room to express themselves should serve him well in the future. Characters here are allowed to dream and imagine, and there are moments when this film soars with a shimmering expressiveness - brought down to earth with a few well-placed dramatic turns, but still rather magical overall. The similarities with Terrence Malick and Charles Burnett are obvious; but sparseness and the unobtrusive ability to see the complexity and dignity within characters also favorably recalls some Ozu, Eric Rohmer and Satyajit Ray, and if Green isn't yet their equal, he's still well ahead most of his indie film contemporaries.