Two Families, One City on Edge

Read Time:4 Minute, 2 Second

MOVIE REVIEW
1992
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Genre: Action, Drama, Thriller
Year Released: 2024
Runtime: 1h 36m
Director(s): Ariel Vromen
Writer(s): Sascha Penn, Ariel Vromen
Cast: Tyrese Gibson, Scott Eastwood, Ray Liotta, Dylan Arnold, Oleg Taktarov, John West Jr, Michael Beasley, Ori Pfeffer
Where To Watch: arrives in select theaters nationwide on August 30, 2024

RAVING REVIEW: Amid the riots that rocked Los Angeles in 1992, this film follows the stories of two rival father-and-son combos as they tip-toe around their troubled relationships in a city going up in flames produced by Snoop Dogg and directed by Ariel Vromen; the drama is the thought-provoking tale of a town that’s being torn apart at the seams. It blends personal salvation stories in the face of chaos alongside universal themes of courage and perseverance in times of trouble.

The drama features Tyrese Gibson as Mercer, a man trying to reconnect with his son, Antoine, played by Christopher Ammanuel, amid the fire of inner-city LA streets. Mercer’s attempt to salvage his relationship with his son amidst the fire raging in the Los Angeles streets is the core foundation of what the film promises to be a raw portrayal of one man’s journey through himself, his demons, and his desires.

Ray Liotta’s Lowell and Scott Eastwood’s Riggin portray another family bond increasingly frayed by conflict. Their doomed heist brings intrigue as a subplot, connecting their fate to that of Mercer’s and arriving at the final act with a heartstopping climax that makes for a genuinely dramatic experience.

Vromen’s direction harnesses the raw energy of the 1992 LA uprising as a historical backdrop to focus the suspense of this drama on the events and the on-screen battle of the people caught in the midst. The cinematography thrusts the viewer directly into the uprising with powerful images of the town around them, yet never solely focusing on those moments.

A supporting cast that includes Clé Bennett, Dylan Arnold, Michael Beasley, Ori Pfeffer, Tosin Morohunfola, and Oleg Taktarov helps to bring these stories to life, and the screenplay by Sascha Penn and Ariel Vromen weaves them into a coherent and intricate tale of suspense and depth.

The film’s greatest failure is its lack of pacing and reliance on covering so much within an already chaotic environment. For all its strength and twists, as well as some fascinating characters, the film fails to make its world feel fully lived in. There is so much potential, teasing us out from almost every frame. Some will feel cheated, and I don’t blame them – this is precisely the kind of movie I think a 2.5-star (out of five) rating is for. This is the definition of a film with so many things sitting there but never quite connecting all the dots that you can’t help but wish you loved it more. This is a movie I didn’t hate, but I didn’t love.

1992 allows the focus to be on the human stories that sneak in and wind their way through the ebb and flow of history. It deals with personal stories as it reveals the horror of a world fracturing around it. It is a film that speaks to the struggles of individual will and how the movement of history appeals to our morality and responses from within our humanity. 1992 offers drama at the human level, with the reminder of more just out of reach. Exploring the heart of human cruelty, the sanctity of the individual remains vital to their redemption – long after the last frame.

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[photo courtesy of LIONSGATE, SUMATRA FILMS, KODIAK PICTURES, DEATH ROW PICTURES, TRIDENT FILMS]

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