Small Time

(2014) Small Time COMEDY DRAMA

Written and directed by Joel Surnow that has owner of an used car salesman, Al Klein (Christopher Meloni) attempting to reunite with his son, Freddie Klein (Devon Bostick) by allowing him to work alongside with him, also as a sleazy used car salesman along side with his partner, Ash Martini (Dean Norris), Al's mechanic, Barlow (Amaury Nolasco) and finally, Al's secretary, Gail (Ashley Jensen). As opposed to what Al's ex Barbara (Bridget Moynahan) actually wanted her son to do which was to go to college and graduate from high school. There's something humorous about the entire set up of a sleazy car dealer reuniting with his somewhat of an estranged son.

When you watch a movie, often times you build positive and negative off of expectations. If you go to see this movie, enjoy it for what it is.

'Small Time' is a relaxing movie that surprised me. Al Klein (Christopher Meloni), used car salesman, allows his son, Freddy (Devon Bostick) to work on his lot selling cars rather than go to college. Freddy is a natural, but is it what he should be doing with his life?

This is a story about closure, but the problem with talking about closure is, it would be just spoilers.

In life, we have to make choices and of course live with those choices; but some times it is hard, even 10 years later to accept what seemed like the best thing to do. We often lived trapped by those decisions, unable to move on.

Director and writer Joel Surnow, who has worked in television prolifically, used a succinct and condensed writing style that is often lost in movies. In cinema everything is drawn out, rushed, then drawn out between scenes of random events to show the director's 'artistic' capability.

Just about everything said in 'Small Time' had a point and added to the story; this story, each character had depth, history, feelings. Or, in the other words, 'The writing and the dialogue was good and I liked it' (and as a writer myself, I tend to hate more than I like).

There was psychology to these characters, thoughts in their heads. I was genuinely impressed. I could talk about the acting, but I felt the three main roles played by Meloni, Norris (breaking bad fame), and Bostick (older brother from Diary of a wimpy kid) were done professionally. Three capable actors, what else would you expect?

Now, some people might not find enough drama in this film to enjoy it. We are so conditioned to seeing murders and affairs and fights and violence in dramas, we don't know what to do without it. All I can say is, as a person who values his time, I did not feel robbed by this movie and I could appreciate the story and the characters.

Yes, I liked the movie, it's not just a comedy but also a drama of a father and son situation, that most people can relate, all actors did a great job on their roles and were really believable. Dean Norris, I liked him ever since I saw him on Breaking Bad, and I felt his character was pretty funny in here. The movie develops very good and gives a lesson at the end of what real life is if you don't have an education, I guess. The movie has its moments and hits the comedy moments on the spot and get deliver really well, as well for the serious scenes that this movie display. I like the scenes of the car dealership when they are selling the cars, I liked the Hispanic guy he was really funny as well. As I was rewatching this movie I understood it more and I liked more than my first view, like I said before really good acting by all actors, I give " Small Time" a 5 out of 10 Stars.

As a longtime fan of Chris Meloni, someone who in my opinion is an excellent actor, it boggles the mind why he would associate himself professionally with this piece of California based garbage. There is nothing that distinguishes this picture from many others of its ilk, father-troubled son conflicts and all the issues that go along with them. Written and poorly directed by Joel Surnow, a run of the mill comedy writer, Chris had little to work with, so I'll excuse him this time. Every actor makes clunkers and this was certainly one of Mr. Meloni's. Maybe he needed the money. Perhaps Los Angeles and the quintessential New Yorker Mr. Meloni is had poor chemistry. Whatever it is, 'Small Time' is a forgettable film. Don't waste an hour and 40 minutes of your life watching it, you'll never get that time back.

It's hard to admit I was somewhat charmed by this indie, when one of the main themes takes place on a used car lot where fast talking salesmen will use every trick-in-the-book to sell you a car. Of course, there's much more to the movie than that, with family dramas and a coming-of-age tale being also a big part of the scenario. To me, it was mostly presented in a laid-back humorous way which appealed to me.

Chris Meloni and Dean Norris are excellent in their starring roles as Al and Ash respectively. They've been partners in Diamond Motors, a used car lot in Covina, California, for the past 16 years.

When Al's son Freddy, portrayed by Devon Bostick, is having his high school graduation ceremony, both Al and Ash attend. There they meet up with Freddy's mother Barb, ably played by the talented and beautiful Bridget Moynahan, who's been divorced from Al for 14 years, and re-married now to the rather obnoxious but very wealthy Chick (Xander Berkeley).

Shortly after his graduation, Freddy tells Al he doesn't want to go to college (Cal Poly), but instead wants to work at Al's car business to gain life experience and even wants to live with his father. This will set off a series of events and consequences which will result in some valuable life's lessons being learned by all.

All in all, I felt this indie sometimes lost its' way, such as very crass scenes of Al and Ash's buddies getting together for lunches, which although realistic seemed out of context to the rest of the film. Aside from that though, the movie, written and directed by Joel Surnow had enough humor and drama to keep me engaged throughout.