Grind

i caught this little gem on cable over the weekend and was so

unexpectedly moved that i felt compelled to write about it. it's an

intelligent and very truthful look at a blue collar new jersey family

and the pursuit of their american dreams. the locations, (from the

factory cluttered landscapes to the swampland drag strips), all of

the performances, the overall texture... were right on the money!

-like a bruce springsteen song vividly brought to life. i was

especially taken by the complex relationship between the brothers

played by billy crudup and paul schulze. nothing in this film rang

false, though as a result the overall tone may be a little too bleak

for the masses. i found it refreshing to find an american indy

director that is less interested in flash and trend than his

commitment to telling a gripping, honest, and meaningful story

about everyday people.

Crudup and Peet are always watchable; this film won't disappoint their fans. If nothing else, add this movie to your list of "my life is at least better than these people's" movies to watch post-breakup or post-betrayal. Help boost this film's rating! Vote today and give a thumbs up!

To say this is one of the best indie films ever made might seem strange, but to me it is.

It would have been just another made-for-TV drama, except that the writers, directors and actors elevate it to a much higher plane.

Most actors shy away from their first films, but Billy Crudup need not do that with this one. His acting is exceptional, and was just so good that he moved on to other mainstream work, which was richly deserved, in my opinion.

Paul Schulze had already made several good movies, but in this one he shines. At first I thought that he was miscast, due to the fact that he looks nothing like his "brother" Eddie, but through skillful acting by both of them, I soon forgot that they didn't look at all alike. They "were" brothers, and after all we've all known brothers who looked nothing alike. Schulze has never disappointed me in any of his work, and this is one of his best. I really felt sad for Terry, the "good" brother.

Lovely Adrienne Shelly, bless her heart got much more name recognition for being brutally murdered than she did for her moving performance in this, or any other movie she made. So sad.

If you get the chance to see this movie, do it. It may be small in budget, but it's a well made film, and one that will stick with you.

I would have rated it a 7, but I admit I was trying to tip the balance. This wasn't a great film, but I still liked it--due in large part to Billy Crudup's performance.

Crudup is believable straight down the line, as Eddie Dolan. Who is this actor!? He slips into roles like hand in glove. I watched the film twice just to see his expression again.

The story reeks of inevitability, due to the circumstance; but like the cliche 'accident on the side of the road,' you are compelled to watch anyway.

What I liked very much, was the non-thinking attraction in its many forms; and seeing the immaturity of these souls' lives played out. And though they all lead themselves into explosive situations, they somehow manage to find their ways out and go on. They are survivors, and that's intriguing to me.

I bought this DVD on the strength of seeing Billy Crudup in an early role.

I have seen and liked Adrienne Shelly in a previous Hal Hartley film and thought that she, Crudup and Schulze (with who I am the least familiar, but no less impressed) all performed well in this indie ensemble. Amanda Peet also features in a minor early role.

The story is well worn, but the pace, style, music and slow, lazy intimacy with which we are drawn into the characters makes this a very watchable movie. Billy Crudup obviously started out as he meant to continue and this film stands out as a suitably charismatic beginning, without any signs of hallmark timidity for this actor's first feature.

If you like short-form, no-frills, character-driven drama, rent or buy this one today!