Podtalk, Review: Tyrese Gibson on the Journey Back to ‘1992’

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CHICAGO – Tyrese Gibson is taking this one personally. Originally from the Watts neighborhood in Los Angeles, Gibson is the lead role in the film “1992” (in theaters on August 30th). His character Mercer went through the Watts Uprising in 1965, plus he and his son must navigate the Rodney King Uprising in 1992.

Rating: 4.0/5.0

In that year, Mercer Bey (Gibson) is desperately trying to rebuild his life and relationship with his son (Christopher A’mmanuel) amidst the turbulent Los Angeles uprising following the Rodney King verdict. Across town, another father (the late Ray Liotta, in his final performance) and son (Scott Eastwood) put their own strained relationship to the test as they plot a precious metals heist from the factory where Mercer works. As tensions rise in Los Angeles and chaos erupts, both families reach their boiling points when they collide.

Tyrese Gibson in ‘1992’
Photo credit: Lionsgate

The film – co-written and directed by Ariel Vromen – delivers on several levels, and has a Shakespearian-level clash between fathers and sons. Themes of injustice over the King verdict spill over into the clash of wills, especially in law enforcement treatment of justifiably angry L.A. blacks versus the ridiculous heist by greedy white men. Gibson is particularly effective as Mercer, using action film moves the character learned in prison when he’s confronted, but also at peace with a world that has given him nothing. Using the King situation as a backdrop for the tense story is the engine of the entire scenario, and the great cast (including a manic Liotta) generates an authentic atmosphere.


Tyrese Gibson is an R&B music star and movie star. He debuted in 1998 with the album “Tyrese,” and had his first starring role in John Singleton’s “Baby Boy” (2001). His subsequent albums have included “2000 Watts,” “I Wanna Go There,” “Alter Ego” (hip-hop as Black Ty), the Grammy-nominated “Open Invitation” and “Black Rose,” which was Number One on the week of release in 2015. In film, he has prominent roles in the Fast & Furious and Transformers series, as well as his third collaboration with John Singleton in “Four Brothers” (2005).

In the following Podtalk with Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com, the always energetic Tyrese Gibson answered five vital questions, with reflections on the larger themes in “1992,’ his personal relationships with the Watts neighborhood and the Rodney King era, in addition to his deep friendship with the late filmmaker John Singleton.

In a Podtalk with Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com, Question One with Tyrese Gibson is a reflection on his character Mercer…

In Question Two, Gibson on the Watts neighborhood of Los Angeles …

Question Three, Gibson’s interaction with the Rodney King Uprising …

Question Four, another reflection on “1992” …

In the video clip of Question Five, Gibson’s tribute to John Singleton …

Trailer, “1992” …

CLICK HERE for a 2011 Interview of Tyrese Gibson with Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com.

By PATRICK McDONALD Editor and Film Critic/Writer HollywoodChicago.com pat@hollywoodchicago.com