Like many independent films, “Mississippi Grind” is all about the journey of the main characters: who they are and why they make the decisions they do. The plot revolves around two very different men who meet each other gambling and decide to travel the country together, gambling their way to New Orleans. Despite the plot, the film is not really a poker movie – the gambling is more of a backdrop for finding out if the characters are willing to bet on themselves.
Ben Mendelsohn and Ryan Reynolds are fantastic as the two leads. They each bring a different small-city, almost working-class vibe to their characters, an essential tone of the film. This movie doesn’t take place in glamorous Las Vegas. The two aren’t gambling in classy, upscale joints. They’re hitting the numerous smoky casinos, tables and races that cater to a regular, older, blue-collar crowd.
To get away from his usual female-targeted, leading-man type roles, Ryan Reynolds sports a mustache and slightly greying, messy hair. His character, Curtis, is still charismatic, but he’s more of an everyday man – a layered, somewhat mysterious character who intrigues you. He’s trusting and optimistic, the kind of person you always want to have around. He doesn’t seem to care if he wins or loses but enjoys the people and experiences along the way. He appears to have it all figured out, so his motivations are curious for befriending a down-on-his-luck, insecure older man. The question of why he’s doing that carries through the film. (Though I felt these questions were only partially answered by the end.)
Ben Mendelsohn perfectly captures the quiet desperation of Gerry, a gambling addict who is losing everything and can’t seem to turn around his luck. Unassuming and almost mousy, he lives a lonely life. So he quickly embraces the unexpected camaraderie he finds with his new charismatic friend. That unusual bond between these two disparate personalities, each in different places of life, becomes one of the main intrigues of the film. Their chemistry works well together.
Sienna Miller was also wonderful as a red-headed escort who has a pull on Reynolds’ character. Alfre Woodard makes a short cameo in an unnecessary scene that needed some further explanation. And Analeigh Tipton charmingly plays another young, wide-eyed escort dreaming of a different life.
During the movie, Reynolds’ character says more than once, “A journey is the destination.” The theme resonates throughout the film. These two characters are on a personal journey, but where are they going? Even Tipton’s character says she knows she is going to do something big with her life – she just doesn’t know how she’s going to get there. She hasn’t figured out her journey yet. After all, that journey to find and fulfill your goals is a constant struggle. What happens if you hit rock bottom along the way? What happens if you hit it big? Does any of it bring you closer to happiness and fulfillment? And is the statement really true? Is someone who relishes the journey more fulfilled than someone trying to reach an end goal? The movie doesn’t generalize, but presents two individual approaches to living with fear. One man is afraid all along the journey while the other is afraid of reaching a final destination. Both attitudes can prevent someone from making positive changes in their life.
This movie wasn’t packed with action or huge revelations. It was a slow-simmering character-driven film that depended on the quiet intrigue of the two men and the fascination in learning what drove them. As they journey together, they have a chance to learn more about themselves and make changes in their lives – if they decide to take that challenge.
My main critique was, by the end, I only partly understood their true motivations. Their reasons and decisions were left slightly hazy and therefore lacked the impact they could have held. But nonetheless, I found this journey enjoyable. The movie didn’t pack a big punch. I wasn’t left wowed. But the characters felt real and the themes interesting. I enjoyed the ride. In the case of the film, the journey was indeed the destination.
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| Analeigh Tipton, Ben Mendelsohn & Ryan Reynolds answer questions after the film's premiere. |
A24 has picked up distribution rights to "Mississippi Grind." They will release the picture in partnership with DirecTV.
