Strays

'Strays' is breakout film for Vin Diesel - after years struggling as an actor going from audition to audition and still not getting any parts, Vin Diesel wrote, directed and starred in his own movie that finally gave him a role in Steven Spielberg's 'Saving Private Ryan' and from there the star was in the making. Although Vin Diesel is best known for portraying one dimensional meat heads and action heroes he has later shown that he got some more acting chops in such films like 'Find My Guilty' or 'Boiler Room', but 'Strays' was were it all started. Don't expect anything on Woody Allen level, but here Vin showing off his acting skills, and his directing skills is not very off. Although 'Strays' starts bit slow, it manages to build up interest in first half an hour (too long, some might say), but we are still left with an hour and ten minutes worth well paced story with characters we start to care about enough to stick to the end.

Vin Diesel followed one other muscular Hollywood legend's path and wrote his own starring role. Vin's effort never reached far in popularity and it never become classic, but with that little film he managed to create another example how one can build his own success.

This film also left me guessing what kind of Vin Diesel the world would know if he would kept directing (he obviously had some talent for that) and writing, rather than going on to play in all those silly triple X and Fast and Furious movies.

Review: Although the movie seems cheap and it doesn't really start off that well, it does end up with a moral to the story and it's good to see Vin Diesel really act. We are all used to seeing Diesel play the tough guy in his big budget movies, but in this film he shows that he has a heart and that bullets can't always bounce off of his body. All of the cast look like there on steroids, except for Mike Epps, and it has a deep undertone of a band of brothers who grow up doing everything together. Personally, I hated the beginning, but when the storyline kicks in its pretty average. If you keep in mind that this was made with a very low budget, totally by Vin Diesel, it is well put together but it's not a classic like earlier Scorsese movies, which it did remind me of. Average!

Round-Up: After watching Riddick last week, it's amazing to see how far Diesel has come. It's a shame that Diesel doesn't show his acting skills more in his movies because he actually can act. At this point, we all know what to expect from his films. They all seem to be big budget action movies which shows that he has become type casted. Maybe he needs to go back to the drawing board to show that he doesn't have to show his muscles and kick ass in all of his films. As for the other cast, you can tell that this is the first time that they have been in front of a camera, but the chemistry between the cast seemed very real.

I recommend this movie to people who want to see an early Vin Diesel trying to get out of the hood and falling in love. 3/10

Alright, this movie....is for lack of a better word: interesting. It has it's strengths and weaknesses. Strength 1: Vin Diesel looking, a walk through ten miles of broken glass just to drink his bathwater, HOT! I mean, this whole review could be about this fine specimen of man, but I digress. Strength 2: The acting was good. It seemed almost unscripted. The banter between the gang was perfect and very true to life. Weakness 1: THE ENDING!!! What the hell was that? I mean, let them be together! Bad choice Mr. Diesel, but because of those obviously frequent trips to the gym, I am willing to forgive. Weakness 2: Skipping over when they made love. I know it's petty and girlie and even slightly perverse, but I don't care! I wanted to see some skin. So, there's my review. Thanks.

STRAYS (or DOORMEN as his script was initially titled) marks the entry of Vin Diesel (AKA Mark Sinclair Vincent) into the film world in a very small budget (under $50,000.), independent 1997 movie he wrote, directed and acted the major role. To appreciate this very realistic, modest, slice of New York life the film presents, it helps to watch the features added to the DVD (the film is released to the public for the first time): interviews with the cast and with Diesel give a sensitive and heartwarming background that enhances the movie experience. Though Diesel studied acting and worked in theater in New York prior to this film, it was not until he made his own film that he captured the attention of the people who make things happen. And now that Vin Diesel is a major Hollywood presence it is fascinating to see this initial opener.

The plot is simple enough: Rick (Diesel) is a minor drug dealer who also works as a bouncer with his buddy Tony (F. Valentino Morales), and hangs with Fred (Joey Dedio) and his 'brother' (Mike Epps, in his first role in film). The guys live mainly for easy sex and camaraderie - all of the have been raised by mothers without knowing their fathers (thus, are 'strays'). As Rick matures he grows tired of his shallow lifestyle, misses the connection with his mother he never developed, and is prime bait for a relationship. Into his life steps Heather (Suzanne Lanza), a wholesome Midwestern girl, the two have a mutual attraction, but as their courtship dance progresses Heather disapproves of Rick's at times gang-like behavior and his drug dealing. They come together in an extended park bench conversation (excellent writing) during which they realize they each have repairs to do on their previous lives before they can enter a serious relationship.

One aspect of this little film that makes it a cut above the many others like it is the quality of natural acting Diesel draws from his cast: uncredited female actors who provide the sex interest for the men are variably excellent, and Morales, Dedio and Lanza are particularly strong in their commitment to ensemble acting. The script is fairly strong, though the barrage of expletives becomes tiresome after a while. Yet in the end, Diesel establishes his skills as a serious actor and as a fine director and writer, and for the chance to see one of Hollywood's major talents in his nascent stage, this film is well worth watching. Grady Harp

Sometimes the combination of good writing, good direction and good casting collides into a great movie. Writer/Director Vin Diesel stars as Rick, the emotional center to a very strong ensemble of acquired family. The older brother who is finally facing the future, Rick tries to develop a new life while still taking care of his circle of strays. He rebels from his sex-filled nights against Salvatore, a womanizing freeloader and his drug-providing past with Fred, his not so bright cousin. Their unending loyalty keeps the "family" strong, even when he falls in love with a midwestern outsider, Heather. Perceptive and extremely witty writing keeps the pace throughout the film, and his chemistry with Fred, played beautifully by Joey Dedio, is worth the price of the ticket alone.