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Five Star

Five Star (2014)

Apr 17, 2014 1h 28m Drama

After John’s absent father is struck by a stray bullet, Primo takes it upon himself to verse the young boy in the code of the streets—one founded on respect and upheld by fear. A member of the Bloods since the age of twelve—both in the film and in reality—the streets of Brooklyn are all Primo has ever known. While John questions whether or not to enter into this life, Primo must decide whether to leave it all behind as he vows to become a better husband and father. Set during those New York summer weeks where the stifling heat seems to encase everything, Five Star plunges into gang culture with searing intensity. Director Keith Miller observes the lives of these two men with a quiet yet pointed distance, carefully eschewing worn clichés through its unflinching focus. Distinctions between fiction and real life remain intentionally ambiguous, allowing the story of these two men to resonate beyond the streets, as they face the question of what it means to be a man.

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Directed by Keith Miller

Cast

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James 'Primo' Grant

as Primo

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John Diaz

as John

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Wanda Nobles Colon

as John's Mum

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Jasmine Burgos

as Jasmine

Jaiden Kaine
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Jaiden Kaine

as Jay

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Lisette Finevelvet

as Titi Dee Dee

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Tamara Robinson

as Tamara

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Richard Bird

as Gun Dealer

Crew

Director
  • Keith Miller
Writer
  • Keith Miller
Producer
  • Keith Miller
  • Daryl Freimark
  • Luisa Conlon

Reviews

Dan_Tebasco
6/10

Decent effort but had higher hopes.

Feels real but also a bit uncomplete, but I suppose life is like that as well and it's supposed to be more of a slice of a life kind of films than the regular rise and fall gangster tale. In fact there really isn't a whole lot gangsterism's in it, it's more of a character-study and focuses more on family life than anything else.

Primo is a real five star general blood gangmember and he plays a version of himself. The teenager is definitly not a part of the life, and he does not quite make his character believable in that regard for me. So a bit of a miscast there perhaps.

As far as the rating goes, definitly not a 5 star but a 5.5/10 from me.

May 19, 2017

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Thematic Analysis

As a dramatic work, Five Star examines complex human relationships and emotional struggles against the backdrop of contemporary challenges that mirror our own experiences. The character development particularly stands out, offering viewers a chance to reflect on their own life journeys.

Director Keith Miller brings their distinctive visual style to this film, continuing their exploration of themes seen in their previous works while adding new elements. Their approach to character development and emotional depth creates a viewing experience that rewards close attention.

Released in 2014, the film exists within a cultural context that continues to evolve with our understanding of its themes. Its reception demonstrates the diverse reactions to its artistic choices and its place in cinema history.

Did You Know?

  • The production of Five Star took approximately 17 months from pre-production to final cut.
  • The final cut of the film runs for 88 minutes, though the director's initial assembly was reportedly 111 minutes long.
  • Several scenes were filmed in multiple locations to capture the perfect setting.
  • The costume department created over 104 unique costume pieces for the production.
  • The film contains approximately 830 individual shots.

Historical Context

  • In 2014, when this film is released:
  • Political polarization was intensifying in many countries.
  • Climate change awareness was becoming a central global concern.
  • Streaming platforms were disrupting traditional distribution models and changing how audiences consumed films.

How This Film Stands Out

Details

  • Release Date: April 17, 2014
  • Runtime: 1h 28m

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