Spring Forward (1999)

An ex convict befriends an elderly coworker as they both try to find meaning in life and forgiveness for their past.

Director:

Tom Gilroy

Writer:

Tom Gilroy

Stars:

Campbell Scott, Ned Beatty, Liev Schreiber

2 wins & 3 nominations.

Cast

Credited cast:
Ned Beatty	...	Murph
Liev Schreiber	...	Paul
Campbell Scott	...	Fredrickson
Ian Hart	...	Fran
Peri Gilpin	...	Georgia
Bill Raymond	...	Don Regan
Catherine Kellner	...	Dawn
Hallee Hirsh	...	Hope
Justin Laboy	...	Bobby
Kristin Laboy	...	Kristin
David Roland Frank	...	Boy with snowblower
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Sturgis Adams

Storyline

As the seasons change in a Connecticut town, two men of different age and backgrounds who work together outdoors for the local park system, share thoughts and feelings that gradually deepen into a relationship approaching father and son. Paul is just out of prison for armed robbery, assigned to work with Murph, a middle-aged vet whose grown son Bobby is dying. Paul is trying to control his temper and build a spiritual side based on reading. Murph is a down-to-earth Sancho Panza to Paul's more ethereal ideas. And Murphy seems to need forgiveness for mistakes as a dad. As Murphy's retirement approaches and winter sets in, the men talk and love blossoms.

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Plot Keywords:

retirement | male bonding | father son relationship | ex convict | independent film | 

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Genres:

Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for language and some drug content

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

8 December 2000 (USA)

Also Known As:

Kitörés

Filming Locations:

Deserted Village, Wachung Reservation, New Jersey, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$2,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$6,269, 10 December 2000, Limited Release

Gross USA:

$102,353, 27 May 2001

Company Credits

Production Co:

Journeyman Pictures, C-Hundred Film Corporation, cineBLAST! Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

110 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Goofs

Murph leans on the freshly painted fence with both forearms but when he moves back from the fence, there is no paint on his forearms.

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Soundtracks

A Cup of Tea and Your Insights
Written by Mark Mulcahy
Performed by Mark Mulcahy
Courtesy of Mezzotint Records

User Reviews

Bonding

Murph and Paul seem to be the least likely candidates of this beautiful tale of male bonding and friendship that director Tom Gilroy, working with his original material, brought to the screen with excellent results.

The director couldn't have been luckier in the choice he made in casting Ned Beatty and Liev Schrieber to give life to these two opposite characters, that deep down share a lot in common. We see the men as they begin working together, in a way distrusting one another, but soon realizing their relationship at work translates in everlasting friendship.

Mr. Gilroy gets nuanced performances out of the two leading actors that seem to compliment one another in ways that perhaps, even the director, didn't expect. Mr. Beatty and Mr. Schreiber are actors that look and act totally convincing in the roles they are playing. In minor parts we see Campbell Scott, Ian Hart and Peri Gilpin, among others doing excellent work under Tom Gilroy's sure direction.

Mr. Gilroy has to be congratulated for giving us a story that is unusual and it affirms our faith in humanity.