O.G. Movie Review

O.G. (2018)

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Written by: Stephen Belber
Directed by: Madeleine Sackler
Starring: Jeffrey Wright, Theothus Carter, William Fichtner, Boyd Holbrook
Rated: TV-MA
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Plot
A maximum-security prison inmate named Louis finds himself on the cusp of release from prison twenty four years after committing a violent crime. He faces an uncertain future on the outside and dangerous politics on the inside.

Verdict
This is an interesting look at a man that's been in jail for a long time. This explores all the influences pulling him in different directions. Will he make parole or will old habits pull him back in? Does he really want to be in a world that's passed him by when he lives with a certain level of respect? Jeffrey Wright delivers an amazing performance, communicating all of these swirling emotions in man that has to be tough, and has been a person to be feared.
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Review
This feels very real. Louis has been locked up a long time, and this focuses on his daily life. That narrow focus makes this very effective.

Louis is close to getting out, and he begins to mentor a newly incarcerated man. This could prove to be his downfall. He's walking a fine line and the warden pressuring him for information doesn't help. Whether he talks or not, the fact he enters the office raises suspicions.

Louis is potentially jeopardizing his freedom, but we don't know if he's trying to help a young man or stay in jail. He has a place in prison due to his longevity and respect he's earned. He has a routine. On the outside, he has no source of income, not even a place to stay.

There's an intense scene where he meets with the sister of his victim. That interaction influences how we perceive Louis. Is that guilt, pressuring him to make sure he stays in prison? While Louis wonders if he should get out, a telling detail is that he used to run the prison, but no longer desires to smuggle in contraband. Maybe it's age, maybe it's maturity, but he has changed.
This has an almost documentary feel to it. Jeffrey Wright's performance is stellar. It really helps this movie.