Mississippi Grind is a well meaning and generally finely acted drama but the screenplay probably could’ve used a little more work in fleshing out the friendship between its two main characters, though to be fair, the acting by both Mendelsohn and Reynolds does at least make this watchable.
Mississippi Grind
(2015)
REVIEW NAVIGATION
The Movie | Special Features | Video Quality | Audio Quality | Overall
Genre(s): Drama
Lionsgate | R – 109 min. – $24.99 | December 1, 2015
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** Click Here to Purchase Mississippi Grind on Blu-ray from Amazon.com **
THE MOVIE – 3.0/5 |
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Plot Synopsis: Down-on-his-luck gambler Gerry (BEN MENDELSOHN) and his new hot-streak buddy Curtis (RYAN REYNOLDS) hit the road for New Orleans, hunting a big payday. On riverboats and racetracks they chase women and thrills — before risking it all in the wager of their lives. Quick Hit Review: Mississippi Grind is basically a character study more than anything with gambling is the backdrop for two characters with deeply personal issues, one unable to walk away from an addiction while the other has a soft spot for those on a decline in their lives. It’s an interesting concept and the two performances from Mendelsohn, who is showing himself to be a solid character actor, and Ryan Reynolds marking perhaps his best performance to date and showing some nice range, yet the script and overall writing from the duo of Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck, who also directed, doesn’t quite resonate. |
SPECIAL FEATURES – 2.0/5 |
| This release comes with a matted slip cover. Inside is a redemption code for the Digital HD copy. The only feature included is Two of a Kind: On the Rod with Mississippi Grind (17:28; HD) featurette with behind-the-scenes footage and interviews with members of the cast and crew. |
VIDEO – 3.75/5 |
| Lionsgate releases Mississippi Grind presented with a 1080p high-definition transfer and shown in its original 2.40 widescreen aspect ratio. The video doesn’t look bad per se with decent detail levels and colors are relatively vibrant but there are some issues of banding at times and it’s nothing that quite “pops” off the screen. It’s still a fine HD transfer, just nothing noteworthy. |
AUDIO – 3.5/5 |
| The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track is standard but I suppose effective enough with clear dialogue levels throughout. However, it’s not a very dynamic or depth-filled lossless track with the generic score popping in but since this is a drama, it is low-key that isn’t overly impressive yet decent enough all things considered. |
OVERALL – 3.0/5 |
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Overall, Mississippi Grind is a well meaning and generally finely acted drama but the screenplay probably could’ve used a little more work in fleshing out the friendship between its two main characters, though to be fair, the acting by both Mendelsohn and Reynolds does at least make this watchable, even though in stretches it can be on the dull side. The Blu-ray released by Lionsgate offers good video, so-so audio and limited bonus material.
Published: 12/16/2015 |
Check out some more screen caps by going to page 2. Please note, these do contain spoilers.