Mississippi Grind

sigma endorphin

Reviewed on 12/5/2015

Being a sucker for the buddy, road film genre (THELMA AND LOUISE and SALVADOR, quickly come to mind), I was ready to settle in after the first poker game. Add Ben Mendelsohn (STARRED UP, BLOODLINE and SLOW WEST) to the mix and already the endorphins are kicking in. He reminds me so much of Sean Penn in his glory days. He is someone who dominates each scene, having such a range of emotions you just don't know what will happen. Tension seems to linger in every scene Mendelsohn is in. He is perfectly cast as Gerry, a compulsive gambler. Ryan Reynolds also does some of his finest work as Curtis, Gerry's new good luck charm and road trip buddy. Curtis is a gambler, but seems to have a good perspective about winning and losing. He has his own personal issues, which are so complex we really don't know much about him even after the film ends. Gerry's problem is simpler. He knows he has a problem with money because of his gambling addiction. His personal life is quickly spinning out of control and the only way he can handle his money problems is by gambling more, hoping for the big win. Gerry talks Curtis into going on a road trip to New Orleans, hitting casinos, riverboats, horse and dog racetracks on the way. Curtis, being more of the "go with a flow" nature, is drawn in by Gerry's charm, so the journey begins. It is a good one filled with unpredictable turns and twists, which make for a fun time, for us. It is so refreshing to know that films like this one can still be made today. Kudos go out to the writers and directors Ryan Fleck and Anna Boden. Thank you, thank you!!