Crappy film

The movie's neither hopeful in contrived ways, nor hopeless in different contrived ways. Somehow it manages to be wonderful

The film never slows down or bores, plunging from one harrowing sequence to the next.

Easily the biggest piece of Right wing non sense propaganda I ever saw.

As much as I wouldn't expect to be re-watching for the third time in a row a movie starring one of Hollywood's "men of the hour", it is Reynolds' truly stellar performance that kept me glued to the screen. What I particularly appreciate about the movie is how well crafted the two leading characters are and the particular depth that Reynolds adds to the drifting casino-frequenting thrill-seeker he plays (who by his own admission is better at darts than gambling and is a casino regular simply because he "likes people"). Curtis (Reynolds' character) is a sort of a perennial wanderer, set on a journey of discovery, oblivious however as to what exactly it is he is searching for. A typical "lost soul" in the Gen X sense, Curtis loathes any sort of predictability and never stays in one place for too long and has a debilitating fear of committing to places and people - love interests, too. Reynolds manages to turn Curtis into a likable character one could relate to so much so that when he professes his love to his on again-off again casino hostess girlfriend, it almost looks like he is finally ready to settle down and anchor "in love". But, love is the ultimate gamble for him, something he is yet unprepared for, with the next roll of the dice at the next casino holding more appeal. The thrill of the "open road" and the endless possibilities it brings with it have been nicely captured in this movie, depicting the very essence of the American dream which lies in the understanding that, in Curtis's own words, "the journey is the destination".

If you still haven't seen Mississippi Grind, don't waste your time, the pacing of the movie is extremely slow, the only half interesting part was around an hour and nine minutes into the movie where there was an intense few minute conversation between the two main characters, after that short scene the film instantly becomes boring again.If you want to watch a drama about people with financial problems i recommend "99 Homes" which is much more interesting and the pacing of the film is faster and straight to the point.

I have a weakness for gambling films having grown up in a gambling family. This film does a lot better then most in defining two common but distinct gambling types and then having some great actors bring them to life. Reynolds oozes charm in the easier role while Mendelsohn channels the 1970's in depicting Gerry who is utterly unlikable and yet dominates every scene.This is a film in which character and sense of place are nailed while the story and structure are scuttled. Sometimes you can get away with it but this film commits too many sins. The film meanders over 148 minutes, a tightening would have sharpened it immensely but the worst is the dreaded fourth act. Had the film ended at the racetrack and not had a ridiculous denouement 20 minutes later it would have fared so much better.Watchable just to see some actors spread their wings.

The Movie Grinds and Grinds its way to the Payoff. Whether it Truly is a Payoff is up for Debate. Ryan Reynolds and Ben Mendelsohn are Two Strangers that Meet and it's "Love at first sight", the first of many Overwritten and Overplayed Chops that the Film introduces to introduce Audiences to its Indie Bona Fides.Restraining in its Scenes of a Never Climaxing Slice of Life Character Study, the Script and Dialog are Never as Clever as it Thinks it is with Awkward "Tarantino" Pop Culture Droppings that Feel Inserted. For Example, the "...tell me something about St. Louis...", and the "...are from Memphis" Clunkers. "Don't forget Justin Timberlake!" Sheesh.The Acting from Everyone is Good and the Soundtrack could only be Better if the Songs Played Out Longer, because it is Truly the Highlight. The Look of the Movie is Smooth and Captures Underbelly quite well. The Story about Two Gamblers, one a nothing to lose "Rambler "and the other an already lost everything "Loser", is OK. But...Overall it's a Letdown and has No Edge to it, almost exclusively from a very Dull and Pretentious Wordfest that Cribs its Betters and is Frankly so Often Flat that it can Cause a Cringe. The Film isn't a complete Failure with its Better Elements keeping the Weaker parts in the Game. Worth a Watch for Patient and Tolerant Viewers with Low Expectations.