Minneapolis, Minnesota, May 25, 2020–the day that George Floyd died. His death sparked controversy not just throughout the United States, but around the world. The world began demanding changes in the social climate, and protests, riots, and passion followed. When George Got Murdered takes viewers inside the correctional facility in which Derek Chauvin (Robert LaSardo) resides, and it shows the world what life was like after the events of that Monday.
It often feels that When George Got Murdered is unintentionally stereotypical of every race and profession throughout its entirety. In some ways this is a good thing–it doesn’t single anyone out, but on the other hand it further perpetuates the ideas that all individuals involved in law enforcement are bad and that African Americans are thugs. The majority of security guards and all police officers are shown expressing racist or inappropriate views, and African Americans (especially the ones in prison) are incapable of having a conversation without using the “n” word–and rarely do viewers see When George Got Murdered veer from this. It’s a sad reality that sometimes these things can be true, but the reality is that perpetuating these horrific stereotypes and grouping all people of a race or profession into one category is far worse. When George Got Murdered, in some ways, is dangerous–and there are many times throughout the film that it becomes difficult to stand behind its message.
The idea of being woke is something that is slowly permeating cinema and television, and it’s watering down much of the content that viewers see on a regular basis. I’m happy to say, even with the stereotypes that exist, When George Got Murdered doesn’t dabble in woke culture. It avoids this idea of representation happening inorganically, but it rather exists in a state that can sometimes feel natural and relatable. I commend Writer-Director Terrance Tykeem for being current and relevant without being over-the-top in terms of the wokeness that often exists in the mainstream today.
While When George Got Murdered is a narrative feature, it acts as a mockumentary of sorts. Tykeem puts together a film that analyzes the death of George Floyd not through fictional scenarios, but through what feels like testimonials. Even through the dialogue and the conversations present in When George Got Murdered, Tykeem attempts to present the world with facts, rather than fictional dialogue with a purpose. There were often times when I questioned whether or not this film was fiction, or if the comments being made by the characters on screen were their actual thoughts. I think I want a more definitive line between fact and fiction in this regard, however, the fact that Tykeem is able to blur the lines here so seamlessly is impressive in its own way.
Like can sometimes happen in a low-budget film, many of the actors struggle to express emotion in a way that resonates with viewers. There are a number of times when it feels as if the actors are reading lines from a page, rather than attempting to embody what they are attempting to be. Again, there were moments when I believed that aspects of the film were actual testimonies from concerned citizens, but there are other times throughout When George Got Murdered that I found myself questioning the validity altogether. I sat on the fence throughout this film, and the acting, sadly, made me lean toward the side of disappointment.
When George Got Murdered is a feature film that is aimed toward delivering social and political commentary in a way that is accessible to all. With videos of Tamir Rice and Eric Garner’s mothers, Samaria Rice and Gwen Carr respectively, Redman, and Ron Howard, Tykeem looks to invite as many viewers in as possible, and make the world feel how they did after the events of May 25, 2020. To a degree Tykeem is successful; he makes his point and he does a good job of staying away from an over-the-top approach. On the other hand, however, his constant use of stereotypes and the acting of a number of the individuals tasked with bringing this to life cause When George Got Murdered to effectively become average, turning off some potential viewers. Ultimately, I feel that When George Got Murdered won’t change anyone’s mind–it will simply strengthen the points of view that already exist on both ends of the spectrum.
Written & Directed by Terrance Tykeem.
Starring Montel Williams, Beanie Sigel, Don Most, Robert Wuhl, Robert Ri’Chard, Chris Mann, etc.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/10
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