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Review: "Gospel Hill"
REVIEW: "Gospel Hill"
(Showing TONIGHT Nov. 25 at Cinema Paradiso, 503 SE 6th ST., Fort Lauderdale, FL. 33301at 8 p.m.)
By Rachel Galvin
Tackling everything from racism to redemption, this character-driven portrayal featured A-list actors Danny Glover, Angela Bassett, Samuel L. Jackson and Julia Stiles.
But Jack Herrod, who played a guilt-ridden ex-sheriff wins my vote for most moving performance. With quiet stubbornness and an inner solitude symbolized with every thoughtful drag of his "cancer stick" to his slow nostalgic motion in a porch swing, his performance made every syllable stick.
Danny Glover also utilized an angry silence to portray pent up rage, betrayal and deep sadness that only comes to the surface once with a show of strength as he protects his wife, played by Bassett -- a key scene that shows a shift in his character arc.
Bassett plays a bit of an archetype, fighting the system with all her convictions, showing those around her what it means to stand up and make a difference. This is a message taken up by Stiles's character as she makes her way as a new teacher in town and with a new beau.
The utilization of Samuel L. Jackson's character as the father being memorialized envisioned in black and white news footage was a brilliant move, adding an element of history and realism to the piece, as if it was based on a true story.
The interplay between characters: fathers and sons, bosses and employees, new couples and old ones is filled with meaning and emotion. Behind all the corruption, betrayal and newfound strength and forgiveness is a message of love, universal love and respect for everyone.
Fortunately for Esposito, this piece is coming out at the right time, 40 years after the death of Martin Luther King, Jr. and the murder of Bobby Kennedy, who Esposito reminded said that "in 40 years we could have a black president..." Now that prediction has come to pass and Obama's message of change was echoed in this film by Jackson's protesting character as a meaningful foreshadowing.
The soundtrack, Esposito says, is subtle so as to allow people to feel what they feel and let the music sort of support that feeling. In the same way, the film's message seems to parallel the societal shift that is taking place in our nation. The film will be shown in January in Washington D.C. for the inauguration (stay tuned for details).
Missed the movie tonight? No fear. It is showing tomorrow night again at Cinema Paradiso at 8 p.m. This is a wonderful film and watching Giancarlo speak during the Q&A is reason alone to attend. His speech is so sincere, so wise, he resonates love and passion for his project, but more so for the overall wellbeing of humanity. In addition to being a director on this piece for the last 4 years, he also acts in the film and has been an actor in countless projects for 30+ years.
For more info., visit www.fliff.com. Please go out and see the film and support its message and its director, who is not only a talent, but also a wonderful human being. (Bring kleenex; I was moved and some "grown men" even wept openly during this piece).
(Showing TONIGHT Nov. 25 at Cinema Paradiso, 503 SE 6th ST., Fort Lauderdale, FL. 33301at 8 p.m.)
By Rachel Galvin
Tackling everything from racism to redemption, this character-driven portrayal featured A-list actors Danny Glover, Angela Bassett, Samuel L. Jackson and Julia Stiles.
But Jack Herrod, who played a guilt-ridden ex-sheriff wins my vote for most moving performance. With quiet stubbornness and an inner solitude symbolized with every thoughtful drag of his "cancer stick" to his slow nostalgic motion in a porch swing, his performance made every syllable stick.
Danny Glover also utilized an angry silence to portray pent up rage, betrayal and deep sadness that only comes to the surface once with a show of strength as he protects his wife, played by Bassett -- a key scene that shows a shift in his character arc.
Bassett plays a bit of an archetype, fighting the system with all her convictions, showing those around her what it means to stand up and make a difference. This is a message taken up by Stiles's character as she makes her way as a new teacher in town and with a new beau.
The utilization of Samuel L. Jackson's character as the father being memorialized envisioned in black and white news footage was a brilliant move, adding an element of history and realism to the piece, as if it was based on a true story.
The interplay between characters: fathers and sons, bosses and employees, new couples and old ones is filled with meaning and emotion. Behind all the corruption, betrayal and newfound strength and forgiveness is a message of love, universal love and respect for everyone.
Fortunately for Esposito, this piece is coming out at the right time, 40 years after the death of Martin Luther King, Jr. and the murder of Bobby Kennedy, who Esposito reminded said that "in 40 years we could have a black president..." Now that prediction has come to pass and Obama's message of change was echoed in this film by Jackson's protesting character as a meaningful foreshadowing.
The soundtrack, Esposito says, is subtle so as to allow people to feel what they feel and let the music sort of support that feeling. In the same way, the film's message seems to parallel the societal shift that is taking place in our nation. The film will be shown in January in Washington D.C. for the inauguration (stay tuned for details).
Missed the movie tonight? No fear. It is showing tomorrow night again at Cinema Paradiso at 8 p.m. This is a wonderful film and watching Giancarlo speak during the Q&A is reason alone to attend. His speech is so sincere, so wise, he resonates love and passion for his project, but more so for the overall wellbeing of humanity. In addition to being a director on this piece for the last 4 years, he also acts in the film and has been an actor in countless projects for 30+ years.
For more info., visit www.fliff.com. Please go out and see the film and support its message and its director, who is not only a talent, but also a wonderful human being. (Bring kleenex; I was moved and some "grown men" even wept openly during this piece).
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