Deuce of Spades

I watched Deuce of Spades today with my brother-in-law, a longtime hot-rodder who was a part of hot rod culture in the 1950's (as he still is!) The film brought back a lot of memories for him, and he really enjoyed it - even coming to manly tears at the end. The cars are awesome, and the period details are for the most part dead on. I'm sure he would give Deuce 10 stars without a second thought.

I'm a little more critical, though. Some plot points are easily missed because the shots are too dark to see anything. A lot of the acting is atrociously amateurish. And for the love of God, let a professional editor have at it. Two and a half hours is at least 45 minutes too long!

All I can say is ... Faith Granger has created a timeless masterpiece.

The hot rod culture, the meticulous attention to period detail, the characters, the story, the beautiful cinematography, the music, the whole package: I don't think I'm going over the edge when I say I had flashes of Bergman and Welles watching DEUCE OF SPADES - her editing is Oscar-worthy and there are scenes where Ms. Granger's camera work literally takes your breath away. The film is an emotional roller coaster unsurpassed by anything from Hollywood. DEUCE OF SPADES gets better with each viewing and its artistry is a pleasure to experience.

Most of today's $100 million+ releases are mindless eye candy, completely forgotten when you leave the theater. DEUCE OF SPADES, made with a total budget of $100,000+, stays with you long after the film has ended. I think it's destined to be a rarity in movies: a personal, independently-made film that becomes an American cult classic with broad appeal.

Granger put studio Hollywood to shame. If there is any justice, she will have a great future in film.

• Kevin Bishop - CANADA

Deuce of Spades is a move that begins telling the story of a 1932 Ford Highboy Roadster but ends up with the discovery of a love story between the builder of the roadster and his girl.

This exquisitely photographed film filled with so many fantastic hot rods, jumps back in time to the mid 1950's; the age of innocence, when fast cars, rock and roll, drag racing, and good times were all that mattered to young people.

Author/Director/Producer/Editor Faith Granger, has captured the look and feel of Southern California back in the days when orange groves dotted the landscape and swing dances were all the rage. Period correct in every detail Granger manages to bring back the simple life style of that era with confidence and grace. But it is her keen story telling of the lost love between Johnny Calloway and Betty Thompson that captivates the main thread of the story

The most incredible aspect of this film is that film maker Granger, never went to film school, never made a film before, had never written a script, never edited a movie or scored a film before Deuce of Spades. Faith Granger is an undiscovered talent whose keen eye for detail and smart approach to film making should be making movies for a major studio. I for one look forward to more outstanding work from this most talented film maker.

Lynn B. Tivens Meister Communications

If you ever want to see something down to earth,then this is it. Old Hot Rods and a great story make the memory from the past still live on.After seeing what Faith did with this film Hollywood should learn from her.There are some big dollar movies that are nothing more then remakes of movies from the past with a new twist.This film is one that anyone in the Hot Rod industry should see.For the young people who see the film they get to look back at what life was like for the young Hot Rodders of the day.There are many reasons people should watch this film about the Hot Rodders of yesterday.Being one of those old Hot Rodders and seeing what Faith has done makes me smile every time I think of the past.There is nothing better then going back in time when you had a classic Hot Rod and did all your own work on it.Faith Granger is one who knows what Hot Rodding is all about. Thank you Faith, Gene S. Rano

I shall not reiterate the accolades that Faith Granger has deservedly received here in this forum. What one should appreciate, however is that she has Directed, Written, Produced, Edited and Acted in (Chief, Cook and Bottle washer) a movie that Ed Wood would only dream of being able to create and with the passion of H.B. Halicki and his "Gone in 60 Seconds" (who had in 1974 a budget of $150,000 while Faith's budget is estimated at $25,000 in 2009, by the way). This is no "Hollywood Insider" with relations to Coppola. This is a foreign born aspiring musician who immigrated to the USA and has chased "The American Dream". There is probably a movie right there.