Traîné sur le bitume

Hadn't heard anything about this film before it came up on my Netflix. When I saw the 2 hour and 39 minute runtime I almost took a pass on the film. I'm so glad I didn't. Honestly, once the film started I was drawn into the story by the characters and the acting. The characters are well developed and the acting is solid. Really interesting pairing of Mel Gibson and Vince Vaughn, they work brilliantly opposite each other as do Michael Jai White and Tory Kittles. The dialogue reminded me of Quentin Tarantino. Though I really enjoyed the film, It is extremely slow paced and it could have used some more editing but over all this film is worth watching.

I just read about how this didn't get a theatrical release because it was too long, these suits have no vision. So happy this director trusted his vision enough to not let it be butchered by the studio. I would have loved to see this in theaters.

I think the pacing was awesome. Some people are saying it was too slow but I think the time it took to get us more indepth with each character paid off. If you really enjoy a good film and don't need action packed explosions to keep your attention, you will really appreciate this film.

I am now a fan of this writer/director as I don't find many who get it right. Often these writer/director films go off kilter and don't have the right checks and balances. This guy should be given the steering wheel more often and trusted whole heartedly by the studios.

I haven't stopped thinking about this film since I watched it randomly the other week on Netflix. I had skim read reviews on here prior and saw lots complaining about the length and how slow it was. However, I thought I'd make my own mind up. I found the pace really authentic. The character development was brilliant. At first I did find the constant unnatural one liner back and forth dialogue between the two protagonists forced. But it is forgotten by the brilliant storyline. This film really takes you on a trip, it'll make you feel all sorts of emotions which is what makes a good film in my opinion. This film turned out to be one of the best films I've seen in years. And it will be one I watch again. I think the issues with length and taking offense from the film are generational. And that's reflected in the reviews. Definitely.

No way near the negative reviews...something kept you hanging on to it and you get to know the characters.... interesting to also include 2 German known actors....liked it....unusual movie these days...and like someone said...it's a movie movie where you have to put time in it....enjoy...

This film is a difficult watch for the first half. There are many who may even say it is boring, tedious and laborious. And I would be one of them. And yes, perhaps some scenes could have been quickened up and other scenes re-shot to give the opening half of the film more pace.

Having said that, this was unquestionably a serious character-driven film that had many sad and serious undertones but also welcome moments of light humour. I believe this was absolutely deliberate by a very out-there and intelligent director who brought an initially slow script to life and copperfastened by excellent acting throughout, particularly from Gibson and Vaughn.

For me, it is the real-life questions that are asked of us, the viewer, not during this excellent film, but long afterwards, that mark this film out from many others which have considerable less impact.

I would most definitely recommend this film as an excellent watch. But you will need to pass the endurance test of the first half or so, and then you will get your reward over the second half.