Mississippi Grind (2015)

And a good one. A story about the highs and lows of addicted gamblers, made friends by their addiction. In any other world these two men would not have met; but at a card table they are one in the same. The story was a bit slow at times but I think it added to the hopelessness of a too long night turning into day and finding the next thing to do. This movie is more like reading a novel, not watching something like Casino, or 21.It's not a great story, but it's a good one. I'm glad I spent the time.

Gerry (Ben Mendelsohn) is a real estate agent who likes to gamble. He is down on his luck until he meets Curtis (Ryan Reynolds) at a poker table. Curtis is also a gambler, but he just likes to have fun and has no concerns or obligations. Curtis and Gerry decide to travel down the Mississippi River and hit all the gambling spots along the way.On the trip we get to know our characters a bit more, but there wasn't much to see. They have their ups and downs, but the film didn't go anywhere and I was wondering what was the whole point. Personally I've would have made it a little darker. Not bad, but this will not a film that will be remembered.Guide. F-bombs. No sex. Ryan butt nudity.

I was surprised by how much I enjoyed watching this movie. Definitely not my normal fare and to be honest I was expecting not to enjoy it. But man I was pleasantly surprised! It's definitely a more subdued film, but these two actors just chew up every scene they're in. It's a really sad and realistic tale of two gambling addicts, they both struggle differently, but ultimately that's what they both are. I was actually thrown off a couple times by thinking that I knew where it was headed or what each persons motivations were, but each time I was off the mark. Both guys aren't the greatest people, they don't make the right choices, and they both have their major issues. And what I find sad but a unique way of ending the movie, was that they both ended the movie pretty much where they started. It's a realistic look at what the cycle of addiction can do. Great movie with great acting! Definitely give it a watch!

Ben Mendelsohn steals this buddy movie about a pair of sad sack 'grinders' (a term for people who gamble for a living) who befriend each other after meeting across a poker table. Reynolds has made a solid career playing fast talking cocky charmers but placed in a supporting role amidst this cast he brings a depth and complexity to his character that is original and thoughtful. This is about people who are doing the best they can trying to manage in a world that is unfair, uneventful and especially unforgiving to people who choose to live in a world constantly surrounded with bad choices. They are unexceptional well-intentioned people who long ago abandoned any fatal optimism for the future but still need to make their way within the limited confines of what they know and where they find themselves. It is a grim, lonely and stark existence which makes for an engrossing film.