Gook (2017)
Eli and Daniel, two Korean American brothers, own a struggling shoe store and have an unlikely friendship with Kamilla, a street wise 11-year-old African American girl. Kamilla ditches school, Eli stresses about the store, and Daniel tries to have a good time. It's just another typical day at the store until the Rodney King verdict is read and riots break out. With the chaos moving towards them, the trio is forced to defend the store while contemplating the future of their own personal dreams and the true meaning of family.
29 May 1981, Irvine, California, USA
16 February 1982, Lansing, Michigan, USA
16 March 1990, Chicago Illinois
September 28, 2017
Works best in its slow, steady moments, which allow its characters to breathe and help the film's sense of time and place flower to life.
August 24, 2017
The film isn't perfect - Mr. Chon's wild camera motions seem more undisciplined than electric - but it does find an angle on the riots that hasn't been seen much onscreen.
August 18, 2017
Chon's dense, ambitious, and observant film is full of impressive craft and insight.
September 28, 2017
[John] Chon shows a definite talent for drawing out strong performances from his actors, as well as marshaling expressive imagery that's enhanced by Roger Suen's lyrical music score.
November 20, 2017
Stark and incisive, with many moments of levity, Gook offers a rare look at impoverished Americans trying to get on with their lives in impossible circumstances.
September 14, 2017
Justin Chon looks at bigotry through the eyes of two Korean brothers in L.A.'s South Central in 1992. The result is hardass yet hypnotically beautiful.
August 24, 2017
Chon's tale is ... praiseworthy, from its beautiful cinematography (by Ante Cheng in her feature debut) to its take on infamous events from a fresh perspective.
October 02, 2017
The racial discussions happening throughout are far from simplistic or rudimentary, this fearless multidimensionality giving Chon's script an impressive edge that's invigorating.
September 21, 2017
Justin Chon's Gook, an admittedly uneven film with a lot on its mind, acts as an ever-present undercurrent to a particular form of racial strife.
August 23, 2017
At Gook's best, Chon captures, with sharply memorable dialogue, both the essence of his particular characters but also the broad drift of generations.
September 21, 2017
Like "Clerks" with a conscience.
August 23, 2017
Yes, it's uneven, but viewers who can forgive some of its shortcomings will be rewarded, and look forward to whatever Chon may come up with next.
