Gook

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Gook

Released Aug 18, 2017

1h 35m

Comedy

Drama

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Popcornmeter

94%

Tomatometer

53 Reviews

83%

Popcornmeter

1,000+ Ratings

Eli and Daniel, two Korean American brothers who own a struggling women's shoe store, have an unlikely friendship with 11-year-old Kamilla. On the first day of the 1992 L.A. riots, the trio must defend the store while contemplating the meaning of family and thinking about personal dreams and the future.

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Critics Consensus

From its confrontational title to its striking cinematography, this raw cinematic gem uncompromisingly proves writer/director/actor Justin Chon is a filmmaker to watch.

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Simran Hans

Observer (UK)

In rooftop conversations, an impressionistic dance sequence that takes place in a parking lot and a devastating conclusion that teeters on the edge of melodrama, Chon finds a tone all of his own.

Rated: 4/5

Mar 18, 2018

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Ed Potton

The Times (UK)

It's witty, stylish and ultimately devastating.

Rated: 4/5

Mar 16, 2018

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Naomi Wong

Little White Lies

A progressive, refreshing take on the unseen stories of the LA riots.

Rated: 4/5

Mar 16, 2018

Full Review

Phil Guie

Film-Forward.com

Anyone paying attention to the news knows we still have much work to do before we can all truly get along, and that makes Gook essential viewing.

Rated: 5/5

Mar 21, 2019

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Naila Scargill

Trebuchet

Despite an underlying harshness, the film is often light, its playful moments easing the strain of its everyday racism.

Feb 28, 2019

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Filipe Freitas

Always Good Movies

Fabricated with both feel-good and unsettling moments.

Rated: 3.5/5

Feb 1, 2019

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Dmitri V

Such a great and impactful movie, there were super funny moments, and very serious moments, all the actors did so good, and David So was so good!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

05/21/23

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Dominique W

Exceptional race drama inspired by and definitely superior to American History X.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/27/23

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harsh c

I don't know why but I found all of the characters lacked authenticity, except the older store owner. Very hard to sympathise with such self-destructive behaviour.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Wow, where to begin here. For a movie about race, it seems white supremacy doesn't even exist. It looks at the most surface level interactions between black people and koreans in LA during the 92 Rodney King riots, but black people/rioters are made out to be the main antagonists. Maybe that's meant to add "depth" but the way it's portrayed in the film is as tone deaf as the film is colorblind. It also borrows heavily from Spike Lee's language, but only in a superficial way, with hardly any of the charm and vivacity that comes across so clearly in Lee's Do the Right Thing. Nothing in this film really seemed organic. The writer, director and lead actor, Justin Chon, wrote with a very heavy hand, with any hints of subtlety ruined by the obviousness of the plot. It's heavily emotional, but with no analysis of race. I finished it but just barely. Very amateurish attempt, pass on this one

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

02/22/23

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Audience Member

an intelligent film these guys will probably never work again knowing sad state of Hollywood

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/27/23

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Audience Member

Horrible movie that should have went with color.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

02/25/23

Full Review

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Justin Chon

Director

Justin Chon

Eli

Simone Baker

Kamilla

Curtiss Cook Jr.

Keith

David So

Daniel

Chris Jai Alex

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Gook: Trailer 2

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Gook: Trailer 1

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Synopsis

Eli and Daniel, two Korean American brothers who own a struggling women's shoe store, have an unlikely friendship with 11-year-old Kamilla. On the first day of the 1992 L.A. riots, the trio must defend the store while contemplating the meaning of family and thinking about personal dreams and the future.

Director: Justin Chon
Producer: Alex Chi
Screenwriter: Justin Chon
Distributor: Samuel Goldwyn Films
Production Co: Datari Turner Productions, Birthday Soup Films
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Aug 18, 2017, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Nov 23, 2017
Box Office (Gross USA): $222.2K
Runtime: 1h 35m
Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)

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