1992, the year tensions boiled over following the bogus “Not Guilty” verdicts received by the cops who beat Rodney King. For our younger readers, what followed was apocalyptic for the city of Los Angeles as angry protestors took to the streets leading to what’s now known as the LA Riots. Not a fun time for anyone, but for Mercer (Tyrese Gibson) it was that much worse.
As the riots spill out of control father/son thieves Lowell (Ray Liotta in his final performance) and Riggin (Scott Eastwood) decide that the upheaval is the perfect cover for a heist they’ve been planning. As Mercer and his son seek refuge at the factory where he’s employed, which happens to be the same location the heist is planned for, everything goes downhill. Mercer’s son is taken forcing him back to the violence he wanted to leave behind.
While this film looks like a lot of fun, I have to be honest and say I’m a little disappointed that the first high profile movie about the LA Riots is only using them as a backdrop. Certainly not something to hold against this film…but still, it’s surprising. There are two things that really struck me watching this clip. First, Tyrese can be a damn good actor…I must have forgotten that between the big budget action flicks. Second, Michael Beasley who plays Joseph, one of Mercer’s co-workers, is a dead ringer for Charles S. Dutton.
Check out the trailer below and look for 1992 in theaters, August 30th.
Official Synopsis:
In 1992, Mercer (Tyrese Gibson) is desperately trying to rebuild his life and his relationship with his son (Christopher A’mmanuel) amidst the turbulent 1992 LA uprising following the Rodney King verdict. Across town, another father and son (Ray Liotta and Scott Eastwood) put their own strained relationship to the test as they plot a dangerous heist to steal catalytic converters, which contain valuable platinum, from the factory where Mercer works. As tensions rise in Los Angeles and chaos erupts, both families reach their boiling points when they collide in this tense crime-thriller.
