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

Did You Know?

Goofs

In the park, after Paul and Murph smoke a joint, Paul pulls out a cigarette, but doesn't light it. When the camera changes angles the cigarette is lit, but no time has passed.

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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

Everything an independent film should be.

This is really one terrific film.

It's about two guys working for the Parks and Recreation Dept. in some little town in Connecticut. Paul has just gotten out of jail for robbing a donut shop and is taken under the wing of the much older Murph.

The movie basically is a series of scenes where they talk and discuss life in general. As they're picking up the trash in the park or driving down the road or painting a fence, they discuss the meaning of karma, love, betrayal, Murph's son dying of AIDS, all the things that make up a person's life.

Ned Beatty is excellent in the role of Murph. I've seen him in dozens of movies, but I think I'll always remember him in this role as the character he plays fits him like a glove. He's an easygoing guy who's wise, caring and funny. By the end of the film, you feel you really know him, like he's a real person.

Liev Schreiber plays Paul and he also does fine work in this film. Paul is angry at the world the first day he and Murph go out to work together, but he begins to mellow out as the days go by. He's much younger - mid twenties compared to Murph's early sixties - and he reads a lot of philosophy and discusses it with his friend. By the end, he's opened up a lot and isn't afraid to show his emotions or reach out to others.

This film is everything you could possible ask for in an independent film. There's no expensive props or choreographed action scenes. It's simply two interesting people interacting with each other over the course of a couple of months and the way they affect each other's lives.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

April 2000 (USA)

Also Known As:

Spring Forward

Filming Locations:

Deserted Village, Wachung Reservation, New Jersey, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$2,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$6,269, 10 December 2000

Gross USA:

$117,471

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$117,471

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