Green Is Gold

I guess if your father is a criminal ... well there is a chance that you may follow in his footsteps. Even after you should know better (him being incarcerated). So we have two sons trying to make do, while their father is locked up. It's a drama and it is very slow paced. So these points right there should be an indication if this is even in your ball park or not from the get go.

Towards the end we do get a lot of suspension but also false drama at time. Or something that feels like it could have been bigger than it is. There is also a "hidden" door, that does not get a set up or explanation until after the fact. Some may not like the movie being unconventional like that at times either. But it works most of the time because of that. Don't expect too many obvious answers either

Green Is Gold (2016)

A charming attempt to be real and intimate in a tale of two brother (played by two real brothers) who are growing pot illegally.

There is a lot to like here, mainly the naturalism invoked and the feeling of growing understanding between the brothers. The more obvious plot drives it—growing and eventually having to sell a lot of really good weed. But that is only the device to make you see these two unlikely brothers try to figure out how to get along together.

The writing is imperfect—and sometimes downright implausible—but generally the dialog is carried by the acting, which is natural and believable. There are a couple of other characters involved (the father, maybe the most important, though very briefly), but nothing remarkable happens beyond these two. (In fact, some scenes, like in the school, or the bathroom sex scene, are weak on every level.)

The filming is the kind of natural photography we expect these days—nothing jumps out, and that's just fine. In fact, this is an ordinary movie on most levels. But expect the director (who plays the older brother) to get another try at making a great film.

This is good. Interesting. Complex ideas. It's able to make us uncomfortable at times. I don't see any flaw in the acting. The story is a great story. It's not a common thread. I am happy and uncomfortable with the ending.

Enjoyable movie, sometimes films show us how life is not perfect and for that same reason neither should the film, it portrays emotion well and how the people behind ilegal business are only trying to get by like the rest of us.

I'm so grateful to the New York Times for identifying this film as an under-watched Netflix offering. I found the writing, directing and acting all excellent. A small story that develops characters more fully than most big budget films do - I was impressed by the leads and then so pleased to see that the writer was not only the director but is also a lead AND real- life brother to the other lead. A simple story that seemed as real-life as can be. I expect and hope to see more work from all involved in this excellent film.