The G

The G is an intentionally miserable revenge film that showcases some of the most despicable villains of recent memory because of how they manipulate the legal system to take everything from the elderly. When the revenge finally comes it's very satisfying and suitably unflinching but the film saves it for the very end making it a bit of a slog even at a relatively short 106 minutes. Luckily, it has the right actress to keep it going until then.

Dale Dickey is great in a central performance holding everything together. She shows hints of a darker past early on and seeing her husband get mistreated is painful to watch, making her eventual revenge all the more satisfying when she shows no mercy. Bruce Ramsay as the main villain and his generically evil henchmen are the kind of bad guys who are very easy to hate thanks to how irredeemable their scheme makes them.

Karl R. Hearne's direction is very conventional in a way that rarely draws attention to itself. It looks suitably bleak, creating a strong sense of unease and confusion at the beginning when the house eviction happens with no warning. It only escalates further when they're in the care home since there's minimal contact with the outside world and the information that's slowly revealed makes their situation more horrifying.

The G is a well made film and much better than most low budget revenge flicks. Dale Dickey is great and perfectly cast. The injustice she and her husband go through sets the story up nicely. There are some pacing issues. A few sections feel padded out to stretch the run time to 100 minutes when really 90 minutes would have been more than enough. The action sequences are well handled. I would have given this film an 8 or a 9 but the final showdown was a little rushed. I was waiting for the G to pull the rug out from under the main villain's feet, but then something major happened off screen that was explained with a quick throwaway line. I felt like I'd been cheated out of a really tense final showdown that the film had been building up to.

This film is definitely worth a watch though, especially if you are a fan of revenge movies.

Was hooked by the first scene... and then the film continued to defy expectations, zigging when I thought it would zag. There are moments of humour- including a skinny-dipping scene- that you don't see coming (could say the same, in a different way, for a certain sex scene...) and overall the film has a thoughtfulness and humanity that you're not expecting to find in a dark thriller. Overall a really unique film that defies easy genre pigeon-holing. I wouldn't say it's perfect- there are some meandering plotlines so I would say if you are fixated on plot, you may find that a bit less satisfying, while if you are interested in seeing something original, with interesting characters and an incredible lead performance... then I highly recommend this.

The best part of this movie is Dale Dickey as "The G" because honestly, if you removed her from this movie it wouldn't be very good at all. Her performance elevates a not so great script and a kind of confusing story with a few too many twists and turns. While the other actors are all OK, no one stands out, leaving Dickey to shoulder the entire film and considering what a great actress she is, she handles it to perfection. The story is an interesting one, there is character development and she has some great lines, but at times I was just left confused. It didn't help that casting made the mistake of using two shaved head actors with beards to play parts that had me wondering what was going on until I realized it was 2 different actors in different roles. If you are a fan of Dale's this is worth watching, just don't expect anything worthy of her talent.

Karl R. Hearne's The G is a cinematic tour de force that defies expectations and leaves an indelible mark. This dark thriller is a masterclass in storytelling, thanks to Dale Dickey's exceptional performance.

Dickey is simply electrifying as Ann, a woman forced to face the harsh realities of aging and exploitation. Her transformation into a fearsome avenger is both terrifying and exhilarating. Hearne's direction is masterful, creating a world with a visual style that perfectly complements the tone of the film.

The film's exploration of ageism, power dynamics and resilience is thought-provoking and deeply resonant. The G isn't just a revenge fantasy; it's also a poignant commentary on how society often treats its elders.

From the opening scene to the shocking climax, The G is a film that demands to be seen. It's a cinematic experience that will stay with you long after the credits roll. Hearne has created an unforgettable character in Ann.

The G is a must-see for fans of bold, uncompromising cinema.