The thriller film G20, directed by Patricia Riggen, follows an American president, played by Viola Davis, as she saves the world from a group of terrorists using deep fakes and a global currency plot. While the movie boasts impressive action sequences, it falls short in its portrayal of the American identity and critiques institutional power.
G20 is set against the backdrop of the annual Group of 20 summit, where a private contractor, an Australian ex-soldier, crafts a plan to destabilize the world economy. The film takes a simplistic approach to addressing complex issues, instead opting for a narrative that puts the president at the center of saving the day.
The movie’s emphasis on incremental progress and institutional critiques is overshadowed by its reliance on clichéd action tropes and a jingoistic tone. The export of such films has been a long-standing tradition in Hollywood, but it feels like a relic of a bygone era, particularly given the current state of American politics.
The film’s portrayal of the American president as a symbol of strength and heroism is starkly contrasted with the reality of the new regime’s actions. The movie asks questions about what America represents in the present day, but its answer feels like a simplistic retread of outdated nationalist sentiment.
Ultimately, G20 serves as a product of its time, reflecting a bygone era of American self-mythologizing. It may entertain with its over-the-top action sequences, but it fails to provide a nuanced critique of institutional power and the complexities of modern politics.
Source: https://www.vulture.com/article/review-g20-is-the-last-gasp-of-a-dying-america.html