Spring Forward (2000)

Excellent, a Must See

This is a tender, generous movie that likes its characters and presents them as real people, full of flaws and strengths.

As somebody who had not heard any of this before, it became a curious phenomenon to sit and watch a film and slowly have the realities begin to click into place.

The best films of this genre always show a path and provide a takeaway for being a better person.

This was very slow going. Its a "dialogue-driven character study" that watches a bit like a play, involving a short fused ex-con (Live Schreiber) who takes a job in parks-maintenance and then finds stability and camaraderie with his older co-worker Murph (Ned Beatty). The pair bond over a year long period and nothing much else happens.Ultimately this was slow and boring even with the fantastic performances from Beatty and Schreiber who, despite their initial differences develop a nice friendship, and eventually form an almost father-son relationship. I'll be honest though, 1/2 an hour in and I was hitting the FF button.As an FYI this was shot in sequence over a one-year period, against the backdrop of the changing seasons. Yeah at least that happened. 03.23.14

Approaching retirement age, Connecticut parks and recreation worker Ned Beatty (as Murph) is partnered with young ex-convict Liev Schreiber (as Paul). In dire need of cash, the latter held up a "Dunkin' Donuts". While Mr. Beatty looks back on a life soon culminating with his own tragedy, Mr. Schreiber looks forward to a possible second chance. We begin with Schreiber's hot-tempered encounter with manipulative Campbell Scott (as Ronnie Fredrickson). This begins a father/son bond between the two leading men. Beatty decides to lend Schreiber a helping hand, for reasons which become evident; as we learn about Beatty's relationship with his own, doomed son. Writer/director Tom Gilroy's story unfolds slowly, and includes a couple of disjointed vignettes, but strands weave together outside a funeral home; and, we are left uplifted, after listening to two extraordinary men save lives they never expected to save.******** Spring Forward (9/11/99) Tom Gilroy ~ Ned Beatty, Liev Schreiber, Campbell Scott, Catherine Kellner

If Brad Pitt is a box of popcorn, then Ned Beatty and Liev Shreiber are full 4-course gourmet meals."Spring Forward" is a snapshot of a year in the life of two disparate men who form a bond as deep and as true as any have been portrayed before. I defy anyone to not be drawn into the bravura performances that dapple the film.Ned Beatty has been on my personal favorites list since the '70s, and time has only perfected his talents. His performance here is delicate, enwrapping and as sparkling as the best diamond.Liev Schreiber is a newer vintage of exemplary actor. I first saw him in "Kate & Leopold," and even in the short time he had in the movie, he stood out as the best of the pack. His further work hasn't disappointed, not even ONCE.I'm not going to tell you what happens in this film. It is for you to discover - this is your treat to be unwrapped and savored.I can say that every part was played exquisitely, from Peri Gilpin to Catherine Kellner to Bill Raymond to the children. Every scene evoked a feeling, a raison d'etre for its existence.What a relief from gratuitous violence and cursing and empty sex. No car chases, no super-loud soundtracks. You won't see any $20 million dollar *actors* in this film. Instead be prepared to fall in love with the script, the setting and the players. There is nothing to dislike in "Spring Forward" and instead of getting a sugar rush, you'll be filled and no longer hungry.P.S. Have a tissue at hand

Within a few minutes of this film, I added it to the small list of the most impressive films I've ever seen.Not a flick for rollicking fun or mindless entertainment, it certainly doesn't scream "blockbuster" or "fun for the whole family." However, it is a quiet film about a quiet relationship between two men: a film that deals beautifully with some of, if not most of, the hardest issues in life.Schreiber gives a performance that reminds the viewer that the movie industry is not producing enough films challenging enough for an actor of his fathomless ability; Beatty slips in a performance so deviant from his more famous roles that the sheer transformation required to flawlessly portray this character is brilliance in itself.My only disappointment in this film is that I never heard of it, I never saw it in wide release, and I doubt most people are able to find it at their video store. Bottom line: anyone in the industry or interested in it could rent this unassuming film and get a thick and juicy education in all that a movie should be.