Down on his luck and facing financial hardship, Gerry teams up with younger charismatic poker player, Curtis, in an attempt to change his luck. The two set off on a road trip through the South with visions of winning back what's been lost.
The story of the five-day interview between Rolling Stone reporter David Lipsky and acclaimed novelist David Foster Wallace, which took place right after the 1996 publication of Wallace's groundbreaking epic novel, 'Infinite Jest.'
Director:
James Ponsoldt
Stars:
Jason Segel,
Jesse Eisenberg,
Anna Chlumsky
A young Scottish man travels across America in pursuit of the woman he loves, attracting the attention of an outlaw who is willing to serve as a guide.
The U.S. government decides to go after an agro-business giant with a price-fixing accusation, based on the evidence submitted by their star witness, vice president-turned-informant Mark Whitacre.
The story centers on a year in the life of three men trying to survive a round of corporate downsizing at a major company - and how that affects them, their families, and their communities.
Eight years after the disappearance of Cassandra, some disturbing incidents seem to indicate that she's still alive. Police, parents and Cassandra herself, will try to unravel the mystery of her disappearance.
Director:
Atom Egoyan
Stars:
Ryan Reynolds,
Scott Speedman,
Rosario Dawson
Down on his luck and facing financial hardship, Gerry teams up with a younger, charismatic poker player named Curtis in an attempt to change his luck. The two set off on a road trip through the South with visions of winning back what has been lost.Written by
Electric City
The 1234 tattoo on Curtis's right leg matches the combination to his and Gerry's hotel safe. See more »
Goofs
During the Fairgrounds Racetrack scene prior to the start of the horse race, the track announcer says "The trotters are now in the hand of the starter, it's post time." This would be appropriate prior to the start of a trotting harness race, not a thoroughbred turf race which is depicted as happening live on the track. See more »
Quotes
Gerry:
[pause, after being called all-in by other poker player]
Do you know how to get a sweet, little, old lady to yell "Go fuck yourself?"
Gerry:
[pause, look around the table]
Get another sweet, little, old lady to yell "Bingo!"
See more »
Crazy Credits
At the end of the credits, when the soundtrack information is rolling, the first 4 tells of Joe Navarro's 200 poker tells are played. See more »
Grinder Man Blues
Written by Memphis Slim (as Peter Chatman)
Performed by Memphis Slim
Courtesy of RCA Records
By Arrangement with Sony Music Entertainment See more »
I think you'd be hard pressed to find a 2015 straight drama film that is more fun to watch than Mississippi Grind. I was really surprised at just how intelligent this film was while also being extremely entertaining. The premise and what I had seen from the marketing seemed to push the film in more of a 'Runner Runner' direction with it's tone and themes, but Mississippi Grind is much more than that. Not only is it great to watch Ryan Reynolds and Ben Mendelsohn act alongside each other, but there's a surprising amount of depth to the story and it's characters that puts it up there as one of the best films of the year.
Focusing on Gerry, played by Mendelsohn, having a mid-life crisis as he's in major debt, divorced, and has a serious gambling problem. Enter Curtis, played by Reynolds, who adds excitement and 'luck' to Gerry's gambling life. The two are both very much lost in their own issues and their meeting feels more natural than it probably should. The strengths of the relationship and interesting dynamic ultimately goes to the two actor's performances. While Reynold's character is a happy go lucky guy on the outside, Reynolds adds so much more to him underneath. Same goes for Gerry, who should be an unlikable character considering he's in debt through self doing and even tries to steal money from his ex- wife, Mendelsohn grounds the character and the film to a perfect level.
Both the journey men go on various missions in hope of entering into a large buy in tournament in New Orleans, but you forget about that because you're more invested with what's going on outside of the casinos with these guys. The casinos add life to the film when it needs it and the poignant undertone of the story takes over at just the right time. It is a straight drama, but it's also very re- watchable just from the performances side of this film alone. To me, Mississippi Grind is one of the best directed films of the year. The story beats happen at just the right time giving it more depth than it probably deserves.
+Great lead performances
+Poignant script hits the beats at just the right time
+Entertaining and re-watchable
8.6/10
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I think you'd be hard pressed to find a 2015 straight drama film that is more fun to watch than Mississippi Grind. I was really surprised at just how intelligent this film was while also being extremely entertaining. The premise and what I had seen from the marketing seemed to push the film in more of a 'Runner Runner' direction with it's tone and themes, but Mississippi Grind is much more than that. Not only is it great to watch Ryan Reynolds and Ben Mendelsohn act alongside each other, but there's a surprising amount of depth to the story and it's characters that puts it up there as one of the best films of the year.
Focusing on Gerry, played by Mendelsohn, having a mid-life crisis as he's in major debt, divorced, and has a serious gambling problem. Enter Curtis, played by Reynolds, who adds excitement and 'luck' to Gerry's gambling life. The two are both very much lost in their own issues and their meeting feels more natural than it probably should. The strengths of the relationship and interesting dynamic ultimately goes to the two actor's performances. While Reynold's character is a happy go lucky guy on the outside, Reynolds adds so much more to him underneath. Same goes for Gerry, who should be an unlikable character considering he's in debt through self doing and even tries to steal money from his ex- wife, Mendelsohn grounds the character and the film to a perfect level.
Both the journey men go on various missions in hope of entering into a large buy in tournament in New Orleans, but you forget about that because you're more invested with what's going on outside of the casinos with these guys. The casinos add life to the film when it needs it and the poignant undertone of the story takes over at just the right time. It is a straight drama, but it's also very re- watchable just from the performances side of this film alone. To me, Mississippi Grind is one of the best directed films of the year. The story beats happen at just the right time giving it more depth than it probably deserves.
+Great lead performances
+Poignant script hits the beats at just the right time
+Entertaining and re-watchable
8.6/10