Tramps

Tramps is a fantastic film. I watched this on a whim knowing virtually nothing about it and from the opening scene it was apparent this was going to be a great watch.

This is basically a modern romance story. Set in New York two young people are brought together under rather unconventional circumstances, seemingly cut from a completely different cloth and find themselves embarking on an adventure to rectify a mistake and hopefully make a little cash.

Danny, played by Callum Turner, is a "good kid" with aspirations of becoming a chef who ends up having to run an errand for his apparently inept older brother. This leads to an encounter with Ellie, played by Grace Van Patten, a street wise girl who is worldly beyond her years and as such is a tad jaded, a quality that seems to mystify Danny who's sincerity and sweet nature catches Ellie off guard at first.

What ensues is simply one of the most charming films I've seen in years. The dialogue and acting are superb. Each of the films leads deliver the excellently crafted script so naturally that it feels entirely believable.

The ending could easily have run into hackneyed territory but cleverly avoids it. In summary, this is a terrific film and everyone involved did an outstanding job.

Beautiful, petty-larcenous losers find love on the run. Grace Van Patten as Ellie percolates the atmosphere with her effortless cool (she's cooler than a mint julep) and superb acting. She's a natural thriller that reveals a new layer with every frame she's in. I'm reminded of a young Shailene Woodley, only far prettier and more graceful. Callum Turner provides a perfect foil for Grace/Ellie as Danny. An awkward, stumblebum of sorts, who orbits Ellie, fully enthralled by her, as he should be. Despite their obvious differences, the two do share a strangely sublime chemistry on the screen together. It's always good to see the average dude get the hot chick. Their misadventures are fun to follow. There is even a Casablanca-esque moment (I won't say too much as to not spoil it) that would make old Bogie's heart skip. A progressive romcom that isn't afraid to laugh at itself. The negatives...the dialogue is under-imagined at times and only the two lead characters are memorable.

I saw the MA rating so I figured this is the movie to watch. Grace Van Patten is very attractive. I would've turned it off if it wasn't for her.

Gave it a generous 6 stars.

I did not see anything that would warrant an MA rating...maybe more like PG-13 ...

Unlikely partners as you almost certainly only get in movies. But it works quite nicely in this one. You have a boy and a girl who take on a job to earn some money. Now the job itself or the beginning of it, is really not well thought of. It's like why so complicated? Of course the script reason is because you need something to go wrong for things to start spinning and things to accelarate to a certain degree.

The main actors are doing a good job, if you don't mind the obvious indie movie flair it has. So there is a certain charme you either like or dislike. This will determine how much fun you'll be having watching the movie. Because we do go on a journey with them. It's important to care for them ... but you can tell they are not on top of their game yet. There is a certain flatness surrounding them ...

There are probably worse ways to spend an hour and a half. One genuinely hilarious moment - but otherwise the strength of this movie is the "feeling" of New York City. A kind of tonic for those who've been to Manhattan and enjoyed the experience. It's the real city - not the imagined city of some films - the clanging, banging, grubby, smelly hive of people following all their personal mandates, getting around by public transportation. The kids are just couriers in a strange plot involving briefcases (a reference to "Pulp Fiction" perhaps) that we don't really understand until near the end - but why they're thrown together is immaterial, really. The point is the hesitating start of a romantic relationship. You can judge for yourself if there's "chemistry" between these two. I didn't see that there was much going on. There's nothing new about their reluctance to get involved with each other - the writing is not nearly up to the standard of the "screwball" comedies of the past - and the ending is just Hollywood boilerplate - but it's harmless entertainment and you could do a lot worse.