Down on his luck and facing financial hardship, GERRY teams up with a younger charismatic poker player named CURTIS in an attempt to change his luck. The two set off on a road trip through the South with visions of winning back what has been lost. Written by

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Dr_Sagan from the Edge of the Cosmos
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I didn't see the whole movie. I usually like casino/poker movies but this at around 20' made me wanna stop watching it. You can smell from a mile away if there any "heroes" in this. These guys are losers.

So, what I did after that (a couple days later before I deleted the movie from my HDD) is that I checked a few moments and the final scene of the movie.

Well. Seems like a boring movie. In the final scene you see the protagonist hearing some sort of a self improvement tape in his car that tells him to have his shoulder loose and then roll end credits!

I don't think I missed anything. At least doesn't feel like it. I'm happy that I skipped this one and some of you might wanna skip this too.

P.S> Just read Rotten tomatoes. they have a 89% so, you may check it out. But I'm more with the review that states "Plodding and bland with a pair of dead beat buddies of little interest."!!

Bye!

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Tin Ton from Slovenia
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But not really because of the reality of portrayal, no, the movies does that extremely poorly. Its depressing because there is no real chemistry between the actors which was supposed to be the driving force (someone said its like Sideway but gambling, which is a good description only Sideways was pretty good quality movie and upbeat while this is dark and has this pathetic feel to it), every interaction feels forced, every move they make feels forced, the whole movie feels artificial. And the base the movie is founded on. Its not realistic. I guess due to the overly depressing tone of the movie they figured, hey lets at least try to make it a bit upbeat towards the end. Makes it even worse. Because it is, as everything else, yeah, forced. The whole storyline meanders slowly and pathetically through something that was supposed to be somewhat entertaining and at the same time realistic portrayal of this life. But only ends up being depressing. Im not very much into too melodramatic or "realistic" movies that some people adore. I figure life is too much of that as it is. But I can appreciate a good movie, no matter the core. And Its not the actors fault as much as the producers and directors. Its just not a very good movie.

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Michael Radny from Perth, Australia
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Mississippi Grind is nothing more then a slow burner with no substance. It lacks any for of entertainment and feels so out of place with its actor choices. Whilst an avid fan of poker and gambling as a whole, this film just didn't draw me into its buddy-up against the casino idea. Whilst at times, I will admit, the film ventures to a somewhat new and original place, it only sucker punches you back onto the track that it was going before.

Not a good movie at all. The pacing is completely off and above all the script is above boring from start to finish. It feels weak, whilst also never giving the audience anytime to enjoy themselves. Nothing Ng more then a let down to a film I was going to give a shot and would like f hoped to enjoy.

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chicagopoetry from United States
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Mississippi Grind is a very enjoyable film. Gerry (Ben Mendelsohn) and Curtis (Ryan Reynolds, the spitting image of Ben Affleck--so much so you may watch this and think it WAS Ben playing the role), embark on a gambling road trip much like the characters in Sideways embark on a wine tasting tour. Although the result isn't as funny as Sideways, it's just as engaging in it's depiction of two lost souls male bonding with each other. They have their ups and downs and despite how the characters are depicted it remains ambiguous who is ultimately the wiser. Although fans of gambling movies will surely enjoy this character study, at the end of the day it's the acting that pulls this through and makes the two hours go by without a dull moment, even though action is scarce and human interaction is the main theme. I enjoyed it and recommend it.

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851222 from Lithuania
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Greetings from Lithuania.

"Mississippi Grind" (2015) is not about the game, it's all about the player, or in this case, players. This picture first of all is an amazing character study drama. Then it's a great buddy / road picture. It is also a superb gambling movie, where games are shoot and shown in their true colors.

Acting by was great by all involved, i knew Ryan Reynolds can truly act after a small masterpiece (in my opinion) "Buried", but Ben Mendelsohn gives the most amazing performance here as a low-key down on his luck addictive gambler who simply just can't win. Or he can't giving up on loosing..?

Overall, "Mississippi Grind" isn't a straightforward gambling movie. It is superb and entertaining character study movie in which characters are gamblers. It is not about money as one character says, it is about a rush for gambling (probably). This a great little movie gem.

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tfmiltz from United States
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If you've missed Charles Grodin and Robert De Niro in Midnight Run ?

eh- this isn't THAT movie, but Ryan Reynolds might just stir in you the ghost of Charles Grodin...

Aside from a Twain esque adventure here- you will find a terrific foot massage

The gem in this movie perhaps though is Ben Mendelsohn.

What a real treat - one of the better faces of humanity I think you will agree.

I've seen a few very poor movies come out lately involving gambling, Gut Shot Straight, maybe that was the one with Steven Segal, maybe it was that most horrid contraption with Mark Whalberg - but this movie really delivers a wonderful cinematic landscape that will keep you very interested in the characters - scenes...

Hats off to the director - and actors involved in this production.

I HIGHLY recommend watching this - your time will be well spent.

Myself ? I discovered two new actors to keep an eye on - Ryan Reynolds, and Ben Mendelsohn.

Something quite magical about both of them.

GREAT CASTING here.

AT TIMES I felt like PERHAPS I finally encountered my ever so sought after Ishtar II - with Hoffman and Beatty...

There are many moments between Mendelsohn and Reynolds that will have you thinking about Ishtar - I might be alone on that, short of Quentin - who does show Ishtar time to time to friends...

I do so miss Charles Grodin, but SOMEWAY - SOME HOW - and NOT to cheat Ryan from being Ryan - Ryan is carrying a torch forward - as an actor such that I think Grodin carried - it takes a great intelligence to be aware of how others see you- and work with that, Reynolds has that delicate eye. I can't wait to see what else he invests his time into.

What else can I say- but thank you to the cast - crew - director- writer and this is a GENUINE GEM here - granted I'm only 50% through the movie so heh- maybe I spoke too soon - there might be something more brewing here than I am aware of beyond a Twain esque adventure down the Mississippi -

I had to update my review here - just watching a few minutes further

It is MORE than fair to say - this cinematic venture will bestow upon you some all so true moments - facets- reflections - of what it is to be human, and you can not JUST watch, but celebrate being human along WITH the characters - it's quite powerful to see the wide margins engaged here on the full wardrobe of event phenomena a human being can explicate in the time one is alive to witness what they can...

PRECIOUS moments in this film - will leave your cup overflowing... DELICATE the line is between tragedy and - no - not comic - but between tragedy and what REALLY IS the common denominator experience one can expect in this life on this planet - and it's NOT ALL BAD...

it's NOT ALL BAD

I'm going back to the piano scene.

I am TEMPTED to say- KEEP YOUR EYE ON THAT RED BALL

no spoiler at ALL - really- no one in their right mind would zoom in on that feature of this production - but - it's not ABOUT whether you can follow the red ball or not - what it IS ABOUT IS - that as human beings - we even dare to see AND ACTUALLY DO entertain ourselves with such sleight of hand, even when the hand is not so sleight.

This movie could have easily been called Sleight of Hand

But I only mean that in regards to how you will be magically swept away into such realistic characters without flaw in acting/presentation, only by being human.

I pulled my review to edit it a third time.

I JUST finished the Piano scene - all of 30 seconds since I wrote last

My thoughts were- hopefully this movie made a debut at Sundance ?

and I see it did

This is just an amazing piece of cinema here.

SO many pivotal moments that will leave you engulfed in all of humanity.

REAL NICE WORK - WATCH IT

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Matt Johnson from Miami
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Casinos are an attraction for both Curtis and Gerry, yet for different reasons. For Gerry it is the lure of money and chance to change his fortunes. Curtis seriously doesn't care about winning and goes just because he likes to meet interesting people. Both are loners, although for Curtis it is more of a choice. He likes women too much to marry one. Gerry is separated from friends and family because he can't break his gambling habit. Both find something to like in the other. They form a pretty good team by helping to round out weaknesses in each other. Soon they are driving alongside the Mississippi River together and stopping at casinos along the way. What they have in common, a love of action and taking chances, may prove the undoing of one or both of them. Ryan Reynolds (Curtis) and Ben Mendelsohn (Gerry) provide life to the characters. The film is also given energy and verve from a funky Blues soundtrack. I wish, however, there was a little more depth in terms of dialogue, story and action, to the film. Seen at the Toronto International Film Festival 2015.

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witster18 from United States
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This is right up my alley. I enjoy gambling films, and like both actors.

"Mississippi Grind" is a great film bolstered by the chemistry and performances of the two leads.

The film steady rolls out of the gate. Like the Mississippi itself, it doesn't seem to be in a hurry, but it keeps rolling towards it's destination.

This is not a film of twists, cons, or gimmicks. It's a realistic examination of two gambling addicts, who find friendship and success despite their differences and problems.

Mendelsohn gives an Oscar worthy performance. "Gerry's" life has been permanently scarred because of his addiction. Think of William H. Macy in "The Cooler", or Philip Seymour Hoffman in "Owning Mahoney" and then up the ante(and that's saying something - especially the latter). I doubt he'll actually get a nomination. I already knew this was one of the best lesser- known actors in Hollywood. I'd seen many Australian films starring Mendelsohn, but many might recognize him from his supporting roles in films like "Place Beyond the Pines", and "Black Sea". This performance should catapult him into some bigger roles in American film.

Here Mendelsohn can't seem to get out of the way of himself. He's fallen so far that he believes that he deserves every bad thing that comes his way, yet he still can't stop his actions. It's like any addiction. There's usually a good person underneath there, but unfortunately, the weight of all his transgressions needs to be lifted before there is any chance at redemption. But, can the weight ever be lifted? I think that's the open-ended message and question at the end of the film. That's also why the ending works so well. It takes such a depressing character, two of them actually, and leaves us with the thought that they can right every wrong.

Mendelsohn's "gerry" also has a somewhat likable, light-hearteded quality in his depressive state. It's magical really. You'll leave the film thinking that you may run into Gerry at your regional casino; passing by and casually saying, "Hey Gerry". "Hey Man" he'd quietly reply, wondering possibly worrying about where he knew you from as he headed to the poker room.

The only thing that separates these two characters, is luck. Nothing more. Each of them imprint on one another, and the result is a revelation for them both. They need each other. Gerry needs Curtis' luck, and Curtis needs Gerry to justify that he can turn his own personal life around, that people like them can make a good decision. Proof that it's not all luck. Proof that he can quit and machu pichu(have to see it).

Highly recommended. Sitting right with "Wild Tales" for my top film of 2015, granted I've only seen 27 of 80 on my watchlist. As Gerry might say "It's a Sign" that better movies might lie ahead.

You'll like this if you liked: Trees Lounge(not as good), Owning Mahoney(very close but not quite as good as this), The Cooler(not as good), or Rounders(close but not as good, though I'm sure the comparison and statement won't help the useful %).

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valleyjohn from United Kingdom
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This is a film about two poker players who strike up a friendship and go on a road trip to win their fortune. The problem is that one of them doesn't know when to quit. This is one the best films I've seen about gambling and poker in a long time. The two lead actors , Ryan Reynolds and Ben Mendelsohn are brilliant and they work really well together. Mendelsohn in particular is really convincing as man with a severe gambling problem. This doesn't glamorise gambling at all and it highlights all the pitfalls of not being able to stop gambling. Essentially this is a road movie that despite having many bumps is actually a really good journey to be on for the viewer.

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Tony Heck (cosmo_tiger@hotmail.com) from United States
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"We can't lose." Gerry (Mendelsohn) is a down on his luck gambler and is in danger of losing everything. Just when he thinks he hits rock bottom he meets Curtis (Reynolds) and his luck begins to change. Faced with debts he can't pay back Gerry convinces Curtis to bankroll him during a road trip in order to win back his life. Along the way Gerry's luck again starts to change and he keeps digging himself into a deeper and deeper hole. Even though this is basically like all the other gambling movies that have come out lately I really enjoyed this one. Ryan Reynolds is a great choice as the smooth talking good luck charm and Mendelsohn plays the part of an on the edge addict that you feel sorry for and are angry at at the same time. That is a hard thing to pull off. The movie does keep you wondering what is going to happen and what Curtis' angle in this is. The entire movie leaves you feeling conflicted and you are never sure if you are happy for the characters or angry at them. That adds an extra dimension to the film that really helps it. Overall, a very good movie that gets better the more you watch. I did like this quite a bit. I give it a B.

poker|team up|brawl|degenerate gambler|buddy movie|tell|loser|in debt|winning streak|casino|gambling|losing streak|gambler|dramedy|happy ending|

AKAs Titles:



Certifications:
Germany:12 / Ireland:15A / UK:15 / USA:R