Spring Forward

Murph and Paul seem to be the least likely candidates of this beautiful tale of male bonding and friendship that director Tom Gilroy, working with his original material, brought to the screen with excellent results.

The director couldn't have been luckier in the choice he made in casting Ned Beatty and Liev Schrieber to give life to these two opposite characters, that deep down share a lot in common. We see the men as they begin working together, in a way distrusting one another, but soon realizing their relationship at work translates in everlasting friendship.

Mr. Gilroy gets nuanced performances out of the two leading actors that seem to compliment one another in ways that perhaps, even the director, didn't expect. Mr. Beatty and Mr. Schreiber are actors that look and act totally convincing in the roles they are playing. In minor parts we see Campbell Scott, Ian Hart and Peri Gilpin, among others doing excellent work under Tom Gilroy's sure direction.

Mr. Gilroy has to be congratulated for giving us a story that is unusual and it affirms our faith in humanity.

"Spring Forward" has the same limited resources as most indie films but applies them intelligently for maximum effect. The story, a simple male bonding tale about a couple of Parks Dept maintenance men, leapfrogs through the New England seasons as the all-conversation male musings and reflections take the entire run fleshing out the characters so well we'd like to have them to dinner by film's end. Those looking for escapist entertainment should pass on this flick. However, those interested in a character-driven film about what it is to be male shouldn't miss it. Kudos! (B+)

This is a movie that touches you deeply. It also is a reminder we've only scratched the surface when it comes to telling positive stories on film. The blockbuster mentality buries so much good and meaningful material. I doubt if this film made money but may it run forever on video, DVD or whatever the next conveyance might be. Ned Beatty and Liev Schreiber are both brilliant in this delightful story.

SPRING FORWARD (2000) ***1/2 Ned Beatty, Leiv Schreiber, Campbell Scott, Peri Gilpin, Ian Hart, Bill Raymond, Catherine Kellner. Excellent acting displayed by Beatty and Schreiber as parks department co-workers who bond together in a father/son capacity during the course of one life-changing year with fine turns by both an accomplished veteran character actor and a younger, promising one, respectively. Has the soul of a short story come to life that takes its sweet time to unfurl with more-than-meets-the eye shadings of its subjects. A real sleeper gem of independent filmmaking by first time writer/director Tom Gilroy.

Approaching retirement age, Connecticut parks and recreation worker Ned Beatty (as Murph) is partnered with young ex-convict Liev Schreiber (as Paul). In dire need of cash, the latter held up a "Dunkin' Donuts". While Mr. Beatty looks back on a life soon culminating with his own tragedy, Mr. Schreiber looks forward to a possible second chance. We begin with Schreiber's hot-tempered encounter with manipulative Campbell Scott (as Ronnie Fredrickson). This begins a father/son bond between the two leading men. Beatty decides to lend Schreiber a helping hand, for reasons which become evident; as we learn about Beatty's relationship with his own, doomed son. Writer/director Tom Gilroy's story unfolds slowly, and includes a couple of disjointed vignettes, but strands weave together outside a funeral home; and, we are left uplifted, after listening to two extraordinary men save lives they never expected to save.

******** Spring Forward (9/11/99) Tom Gilroy ~ Ned Beatty, Liev Schreiber, Campbell Scott, Catherine Kellner