Grind

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.

Although it's been a couple of years since I've seen this movie, I felt compelled to write a review because of the crappy numerical rating it received on this site. This is the first thing I saw Billy Crudup in and I was pleasantly surprised to see that this pretty boy can act. It's also one of the few things I've seen Adrienne Shelly in since she parted ways with Hal Hartley. Essentially about the effect of infidelity on the three people involved (in this case two brothers and one of their wives), I found the movie to be well written, directed and extremely well acted. Not only that, it actually helped me through the period of my life after I found out my girlfriend was screwing around with my best friend. I highly recommend this movie for any indie-movie fan.

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 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.

This is an excellent indie film -- especially for first time director Kentis who clearly shows he knows his way around a camera and editting room. The quality or actors is very high and their performances are excellent. While the subject matter may not be for everyone, the story is realistic and well-portrayed. Worth seeing!