What’s harder to believe than a woman president taking up arms against villains at a global economic summit? The very idea of a woman president. That’s the underlying truth in Patricia Riggen’s G20, starring as Danielle Sutton, a war hero turned U.S. president facing immense pressure. While we await a real-life Black woman president, or a return to sound leadership, we have G20, a predictable action movie that, at times, delivers some satisfaction.
G20 starts with a young woman’s failed attempt to protect a crucial digital device. Then, President Sutton (Davis) is awakened to deal with a crisis: her 17-year-old daughter, Serena (Marsai Martin), has slipped out of the White House to go clubbing, evading the Secret Service. Serena is a tech genius, while her brother, Demetrius (Christopher Farrarr), is kind but less talented. The film highlights the strength of women, though First Gentleman Derek Sutton (Anthony Anderson) does defend his family at one point.
After Serena’s escapade becomes public, a reporter questions Danielle’s ability to protect the nation when she can’t control her own family. Consequently, she decides to bring Serena, Demetrius, and Derek to Cape Town, South Africa, for the G20 summit. The children object, but ultimately comply. When crypto-terrorists, led by the disgruntled Rutledge (Antony Starr), invade the hotel, taking world leaders hostage (and killing some), Danielle’s family is also in danger. Torn between loyalty to her family and her country, how will she choose?
Davis excels at portraying individuals making critical decisions. She delivers powerful speeches with Shakespearean gravitas. However, the script, by Caitlin Parrish, Erica Weiss, and Logan Miller, is overly reverent towards the idea of a Black woman president and lacks humor. When Danielle reprimands Serena, she says, “You know I needed to work twice as hard to get here. Why are you making it harder?” The sentiment is clear, but G20, despite being an action movie, is too serious. Davis shows Danielle’s dedication to saving both democracy and her family, but she doesn’t seem to enjoy it.
However, it’s enjoyable to watch Davis’s Danielle tear off part of her gown for easier movement. (A knee injury forces her to trade stilettos for comfortable sneakers.) Along with her agent Manny (Ramón Rodríguez), Danielle leads a -style group of survivors, including the resourceful Korean prime minister’s wife (MeeWha Alana Lee), the annoying British prime minister (Douglas Hodge), and the powerful head of the IMF (Sabrina Impacciatore). Each member learns to trust Danielle. Davis wields weapons like Schwarzenegger, displays martial arts skills, and famously hits a villain with a frying pan. It’s a shame G20 is only on Prime Video. Seeing Davis’s actions would be more impactful in a theater, shared with an audience. There’s strength in unity, even in movie watching.
