Spring Forward (2000)

I liked this movie and found it an interesting character study that creates a hypnotic viewing experience. A few times the writing can be a bit overboard, but it's mostly very good.The one scene that stood out to me as really out of character was one towards the first where the character Paul runs off into the woods and starts crying. To me, it seemed vary unlikely that it would've happened this way. It doesn't seem likely, and this seemed more like a blunt object to set up the plot and background than coming out of the character here.To me, this movie was much more interesting for things that were unsaid than for the things that were said. The negative space is used well and I was glad they didn't follow up everything with some explanation of what happened next. You have to stay observant and make connections rather than expecting to be spoon fed. Nothing is certain in life, and neither is this movie. If you want a very linear storyline then go see something else. But if you want to examine the edges of things that are said and things that are meant, but not said, this is a good movie.Fascinating to watch. Peri Gilpin's brief appearance was perfect, also.

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.

This is really one terrific film. It's about two guys working for the Parks and Recreation Dept. in some little town in Connecticut. Paul has just gotten out of jail for robbing a donut shop and is taken under the wing of the much older Murph.The movie basically is a series of scenes where they talk and discuss life in general. As they're picking up the trash in the park or driving down the road or painting a fence, they discuss the meaning of karma, love, betrayal, Murph's son dying of AIDS, all the things that make up a person's life.Ned Beatty is excellent in the role of Murph. I've seen him in dozens of movies, but I think I'll always remember him in this role as the character he plays fits him like a glove. He's an easygoing guy who's wise, caring and funny. By the end of the film, you feel you really know him, like he's a real person.Liev Schreiber plays Paul and he also does fine work in this film. Paul is angry at the world the first day he and Murph go out to work together, but he begins to mellow out as the days go by. He's much younger - mid twenties compared to Murph's early sixties - and he reads a lot of philosophy and discusses it with his friend. By the end, he's opened up a lot and isn't afraid to show his emotions or reach out to others.This film is everything you could possible ask for in an independent film. There's no expensive props or choreographed action scenes. It's simply two interesting people interacting with each other over the course of a couple of months and the way they affect each other's lives.

Perhaps this is the thinking person's "buddy film." This story about two men of different ages and backgrounds is one of the most peaceful movies I've ever seen. In most films these days, scenes last a couple of minutes--during which we are shown some flashy action or given some jumble of information. Spring Forward takes its time, hurries nothing, lets its scenes play out naturally and beautifully. In only seven scenes (yes, really, only seven!) the film takes us from early spring to winter, and through the developing friendship of the film's central characters, who are beautifully played by Ned Beatty and Liev Schreiber. Both men give outstanding performances. It's particularly wonderful to see Beatty here; he must have been thrilled to get a role like this. Small roles--by Campbell Scott and Peri Gilpin, for example--help us see the main characters more clearly and move the story along. (Campbell Scott is particularly good as the hateful, glad-handing son of privilege. I was almost sorry his scene had to end.) If you are only entertained by car chases and explosions, sex and snappy one-liners, this isn't the film for you. If you enjoy quiet, smooth, character-driven, realistic stories, enjoy.