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.
Review of Mississippi Grind
