Grind

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!

I had not previously seen any films with Adrienne Shelly that were not tied to writer/director Hal Hartley. With Hartley's unique dialogue style, I could not help wondering if Ms. Shelly would seem like a different actress playing a non-Hartley part. That's the main reason I picked up this movie at all. It turns out that the Hartley characters were indeed a reflection of Hartley. Shelly is different in this movie, but holds on to the charm that illuminated the Hartley movies. I found this movie to be heartfelt and remarkably well written. Shelly and Crudup are both underrated actors who gave subtle depth to these characters that might otherwise have been missing. This is definitely an indie-lover's movie, but if you like a good story, captivating dialogue, and great acting, you'll like this movie. I truly wish actors like Shelly and Crudup could get more exposure in higher-profile films instead of the Keanu Reaveses and J-Lo's that are shoved down our throats. (note: "Almost Famous" was a good start.)

This movie was really really good in my opinion! I always liked indie movies. This one was great. I like the cast this was I think the first movie I saw with Billy Crudup and I really like his acting for this and the morning show and almost famous etc. And Adrienne Shelly I loved her it is really sad what happened to her. She was a really talented actress and director and so much more. Ugh I miss her and Amanda peet man who doesn't just love her and her work she's also really talented. The story is really good I love the drag racing and just everything about this movie. I really recommend watching it's a good film.

I rated this movie a 10 / 10 mainly due to I related to it almost verbatim. I was a street racer, building my second car, living with my brother and his wife, all while my brother, my father and I all worked at the same factory! Now, it's been many, many years since I got to see this film late one night. I had just come in from working on my 72 Nova and was tired as usual but could not sleep. This movie was just coming on and so I tuned in and didn't regret it.

Of course, I'm a "hot rodder", or as some prefer, a "car guy" but either way, the rides was a great part of the film but the story was very good imo. Rated it a 10 / 10 and am not ashamed to do so!

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.