Two Tickets to Paradise

D.B. Sweeney co-wrote, produced, directed and co-starred in this coming-of-middle age dramedy about three childhood friends that set out on a road trip and in the process find the true meaning of friendship.

"Dirt Nap's" biggest strength is the performances delivered by John C. McGinley, Paul Hipp, and Sweeney. Each coming from pasts full of promise (all-star athlete McGinley, valedictorian Hipp, & Springsteenesque rocker Sweeney), but now find themselves regretting the chances they let slip away. All of the scenes that McGinley, Hipp, & Sweeney share are wonderfully written and acted, remaining loose and spontaneous, and you quickly get the sense that these three guys really have known each other their whole lives. Once they set out on the road they quickly fall back into their old High School identities, and this is when the film is at it's most enjoyable, full of witty dialogue and randomly hilarious moments (part of any road trip) that make us feel more like these guys are in High School or college than their early 40s. Almost makes you wonder, what changes us, age & time or the people that we're surrounded with?

Without throwing it in your face, "Dirt Nap" makes a very true statement about friendship. Real friends will make you laugh, they'll challenge you when you're out of line, and they know you better than you may know yourself. They'll also stand beside you for all of life's journeys, including the ones you take when you think you've failed.

So, if you've ever been on a road trip that you still talk about years later, or if you're still talking about the one you've never taken, go see "Dirt Nap" with a bunch of your buddies. Then, when it's done head to the bar, order some beers, and share some laughs about the past. I'm sure you'll be planning your next road trip in no time.

I ran into DB Sweeney at a bar a couple weekends ago. I told him I was a big fan of the Cutting Edge, for which I expected him to punch me, as I was obviously kidding. However, he was an extremely nice guy and very friendly. He told me about Dirt Nap and explained it as a sort of "red states Sideways." Well that was all I needed to hear. Luckily I know a few people in the business and was able to get a copy of the film. I enjoyed it immensely. To me, the quality of a film is determined by its character development, but more importantly the interpersonal dialogue/relationship among its main characters. I found Dirt Nap to be very strong in this regard and, as such, highly recommend it. Hopefully it will somebody get out in the mainstream so others, besides myself, can enjoy it as well. Kudos to the film, especially considering there just aren't many good ones out there anymore.

In Pennsylvania, Mark Hewson (John C. McGinley), Billy McGriff (D. B. Sweeney) and Jason Klein (Paul Hipp) are best friends since they were kids. Now, they are all around forty and they have troubles in their personal lives. Mark is a gambler with a 27,000 dollar-debt and when his family is threatened by a collector, his wife Sherry (Janet Jones) takes his son with her and moves to the house of her mother. Billy is a truck driver and aspirant guitar player and when he arrives earlier at home, he witnesses his wife Kate (Moira Kelly) cheating on him. When Jason shows two tickets for championship bowl game in Florida to his friends, they decide to organize a road trip to watch the football game. Along their journey, they realize that they are losers and meet several people that help each of them to make self-discovery.

"Two Tickets to Paradise" is a film with a road trip for self-discovery. The loser guys learn that the most important in life is their friendship. The plot is interesting, and with happy ending for the three lead characters. Mark returns to his wife and son expecting to be a better husband and father. Billy becomes more self-confident and take chances in life. And Jason meets Janice and certainly will change his insecurity. My vote is five.

Title (Brazil): "Two Tickets to Paradise"

D.B. Sweeney is traveling overseas with the USO allowing service-members to screen Dirt Nap. I got the opportunity to watch the film with D.B. and about 30 others in Idar-Oberstein, Germany.

The movie was well written with some great one-liners (some are raunchy, but not gratuitous). A "late-in-life-coming-of-age" film that shows the that some friendships do endure; success in life requires more than minimal effort; and anything goes good with 42 beers. Funny yet poignant, the movie tugs at the heartstrings at times and knocks you in the funny bone at others. I found myself laughing out loud during quite a few scenes. D.B. validates himself as a writer/director/producer with this film. Do yourself a favor and go watch it (when it gets released, that is).

3 men well into their adulthood and facing problems - ranging from an unfaithful wife to gambling debts - decide to take a road trip to the Superbowl after one of them unexpectedly wins tickets in a raffle. What results is a coming of age story with a certain twist.

Twist in that these men have already come of age - they are adults, working, tending the family, and all of life's problems. The coming of age comes in that they are men locked in their past, still reminiscing of the good old days when they were young and life was easy, fun, and there was little, if anything, to complain about. One was a star athlete, one a musician, one the class valedictorian. But then, somewhere down the line it just dissolved away and they are now working dead-end jobs, which they obviously don't like, and life is... bland. Completely unlike before.

Very well written, acted, and directed with a strong focus on the characters and often gut-bustingly funny the film presents one of life's most valuable, though not most obvious lessons: life will not live itself for you, you have to live your life.

Props to first time director D.B. Sweeney. 10/10

Not Rated as of yet, but has occasional profanity/crude dialog and some humorous drug use.