The Upcoming
  • Cinema & Tv
    • Movie reviews
    • Film festivals
      • Berlin
      • Tribeca
      • Sundance London
      • Cannes
      • Locarno
      • Venice
      • London
      • Toronto
    • Show reviews
  • Music
    • Live music
  • Food & Drinks
    • News & Features
    • Restaurant & bar reviews
    • Interviews & Recipes
  • Theatre
  • Art
  • Travel & Lifestyle
  • Literature
  • Fashion & Beauty
    • Accessories
    • Beauty
    • News & Features
    • Shopping & Trends
    • Tips & How-tos
    • Fashion weeks
      • London Fashion Week
      • London Fashion Week Men’s
      • New York Fashion Week
      • Milan Fashion Week
      • Paris Fashion Week
      • Haute Couture
  • Join us
    • Editorial unit
    • Our writers
    • Join the team
    • Join the mailing list
    • Support us
    • Contact us
  • Competitions
  • Facebook

  • Twitter

  • Instagram

  • YouTube

  • RSS

CultureMovie reviews

The God Committee

The God Committee | Movie review
15 July 2021
Oliver Johnston
Avatar
Oliver Johnston
15 July 2021

Movie and show review

Oliver Johnston

The God Committee

★★★★★

Release date

19th July 2021

In the late 1950s attempts were made to introduce the element of scent to cinemas, with a system called Smell-O-Vision. Essentially, a smell appropriate to the onscreen action wafted through the cinema’s ventilation system at key moments. If the system happened to be in use during screenings of The God Committee, the most relevant scent is likely to be a strong whiff of cheese. The film is almost peculiar in that it’s rather enjoyable without being especially good.

Kelsey Grammer is Dr Andre Boxer, an esteemed New York-based cardiovascular surgeon. While he’s about to move to the private sector, he serves on his hospital’s so-called God Committee, which determines a patient’s suitability for organ transplantation, which can subsequently decide whether the patient lives or dies. Dr Jordan Taylor (Julia Stiles) is his replacement on the committee (as well as his lover), and her first deliberation (and Dr Boxer’s last) has long-lasting ramifications for all involved.

The action unfolds in parallel timelines: one in 2014, and the other in 2021. While title cards differentiate the two periods, these are quickly discarded, with the safe assumption that audiences will know the difference, depending on whether or not Grammer is wearing his marvellously bouffant hair piece. Although such committees presumably exist, director Austin Stark’s film (adapted from the play by Mark St Germain) rather gratuitously dramatises the decision-making process. It’s incredibly (and strangely pleasantly) soapy.

The fact that Grammer (age 66) and Stiles (age 40) play lovers is a little disquieting. Donald and Melania Trump have more chemistry. While a master and mentor arrangement aids the narrative, the pair’s interactions run the gamut from professionally courteous to polite indifference. Nevertheless, the cast (ably supported by Janeane Garofalo) turn in measured performances, which keep the action in check, preventing it from spiralling off into histrionics. With a few tweaks, The God Committee could easily be a TV pilot, and it wouldn’t be surprising to see a cameo appearance from Dr Meredith Grey.

★★★★★

Oliver Johnston

The God Committee is released in select cinemas on 19th July 2021.

Watch the trailer for The God Committee here:

Related Itemsaustin starkjulia stileskelsey grammerorgan transplantreviewthriller

More in Movie reviews

Ithaka

★★★★★
Matthew McMillan
Read More

Wayfinder

★★★★★
Umar Ali
Read More

Brian and Charles

★★★★★
Matthew McMillan
Read More

Futura

★★★★★
Andrew Murray
Read More

Clean

★★★★★
Andrew Murray
Read More

The Railway Children Return

★★★★★
Umar Ali
Read More

Eric Ravilious: Drawn to War

★★★★★
Umar Ali
Read More

Minions: The Rise of Gru

★★★★★
Sarah Bradbury
Read More

Nitram

★★★★★
Umar Ali
Read More
Scroll for more
Tap

Movie and show review

Oliver Johnston

The God Committee

★★★★★

Release date

19th July 2021

  • Popular

  • Latest

  • TOP PICKS

  • Paolo Nutini – Last Night in the Bittersweet
    ★★★★★
    Album review
  • Beauty and the Beast: The Musical at London Palladium
    ★★★★★
    Theatre
  • Brian and Charles
    ★★★★★
    Movie review
  • The Railway Children Return
    ★★★★★
    Movie review
  • Viagra Boys – Cave World
    ★★★★★
    Album review
  • Black Bird
    ★★★★★
    apple
  • The End of the Night at Original Theatre Online
    ★★★★★
    Theatre
  • The Throne at Charing Cross Theatre
    ★★★★★
    Theatre
  • “We really wanted to create a cabbage gun”: An interview with David Earl and Chris Hayward stars of Brian and Charles
    Cinema & Tv
  • Flamenco Festival 2022 at Sadler’s Wells
    ★★★★★
    Theatre
  • Black Bird
    ★★★★★
    apple
  • Paolo Nutini – Last Night in the Bittersweet
    ★★★★★
    Album review
  • Viagra Boys – Cave World
    ★★★★★
    Album review
  • The Railway Children Return
    ★★★★★
    Movie review
  • Adele lights up Hyde Park for BST Festival
    ★★★★★
    Live music
The Upcoming
Pages
  • Contact us
  • Join mailing list
  • Join us
  • Our London food map
  • Our writers
  • Support us
  • What, when, why
With the support from:
International driving license

Copyright © 2011-2020 FL Media

Werewolves Within | Movie review
Funny Gals: An interview with Vikki Stone and Natasha Barnes