Film Review

G20 film, a Review

By Wanda Sabir

Viola Davis's Danielle Sutton, mother of a teenage daughter and younger son, is also the president of the United States in an Amazon MGM Studios film set to release via Prime Video April 10, 2025.  When we meet President Sutton she is awakened by a Special Agent because her daughter, actor Marsai Martin's Serena Sutton, is gone missing. The tech savvy girl has tricked the Secret Service once again. Serena is grounded, and a family trip to Cape Town is her punishment. The entire family packs up and heads to the G20 Summit. 

Once again security is breeched and the extremely capable head of state Madam President has to outsmart the rouge captor, Rutledge, actor Antony Starr, whose abduction is personal. How this woman keeps her head and saves the

literal world would be a mythical and noteworthy story on its own. Yet, it is the mother daughter relationship explored in the crisis, a powerful lineage acknowledged and renewed in a conclusion not to be missed that triumphs.

The mother-daughter triumph is an awe-inspiring moment. This is an important takeaway. Daughters owe a lot to their mothers, yet daughters also contribute to the matrilineal force. Serena also wields power. When Danielle Sutton lets Serena help, the team is strengthened and unstoppable.

In one's desire to be grown and independent daughters, don't throw away your power which is a part of a spiritual cord. Never forget this vital connection which remains unsevered and available. What a concluding moment! Mom in a fiery red dress and practical track shoes, is channeling Oya, the spirit of wind and death, change and transformation.

Rated R for violence Davis's character is a war veteran who can fight and shoot. G20 is a well-choreographed and scripted action film with fun moments despite the gore, lots of gore and gratuitous violence. At one point the bodies are strewn all around her feet as the Chief Executive Officer figures out her next move.

The man in charge of the siege has issues and the hostages are not safe, yet the President's integrity guides her steps as she makes choices that both save and take life. She grieves the losses. All life matters.  As the situation escalates we watch the feminine power she welds subdue masculine rage. Viola Davis's Madam President is in control. Her love for her husband and children Serena and Demetrius Sutton, actor Cristopher Farrar, is wonderful to see.

This powerful Black woman is married to a man, actor Anthony Anderson as First Gentleman Derek Sutton, who supports her and loves her. She never doubts this nor do we. There is another power couple at G20. I won't spoil it for you, however, others -- male and female leaders draw strength from Madam President's example. Black women lead here from the president and her tech savvy daughter to other women in the cast. The villains are also a diverse mix. Yep, equal opportunity has come to the screen in this G20 story.

Patricia Riggen's direction is excellent, the cast and crew are amazing. The cinematography is awesome. Cape Town vistas are breathtaking. What a beautiful location to film. We can't help recalling the mythical Wakanda led by another powerful Black woman. Mountains hold medicine. They are a place of healing. Cape Town is the perfect setting for these events. Red is the color of life, change and growth.

It takes a tight ship to pull off such a feat as G20. The theatrical team does a wonderful job. Viola Davis, Academy Award winning actor, also producer, looked and sounded pleased at the screening I attended.

Cape Town is on my list now to visit. Imagine Robben Island, where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned for twenty-seven years is there. Governments build such edifices in the most picturesque locations. I am thinking of San Quentin here in the San Francisco Bay Area. 

Conversation with Cast following screening

Official Trailer