Down the Shore (2011)

Truly Dreadful Film

Sadly Over-hyped

This is one of the few movies I've ever seen where the whole audience broke into spontaneous, loud applause a third of the way in.

The plot isn't so bad, but the pace of storytelling is too slow which makes people bored. Certain moments are so obvious and unnecessary for the main plot. I would've fast-forwarded those moments if it was an online streaming. The ending looks like implying a sequel, not sure if this movie will get one

I love James Gandolfini and this little movie showed me why. In Down the Shore he is a sad, lonely man disappointed in what life has handed him and yet powerless to change anything. The bleak setting of the shore in winter, a broken down amusement park and the tiny run down houses (although the house weirdly gets bigger and nicer as the film goes on), produce an almost claustrophobic feeling to the film. Everyone before has said it..its beautifully acted and filmed. But afterwards I kept asking myself questions in the plot that were never fully explained. I gave it an 8 because it's a beautiful well crafted film...but flawed.

I fully admit my tastes are different from the norm. How IMDb reviewers can rate this film at 5.8 while giving such junk as Snatch and all that horrible Tarantino crap (Django Unchained 8.5 ?????, Grindhouse 7.7 ????, Dusk to Dawn 7.3 ????, etc.) such high scores is amazing.This film is slow, but is very well acted, especially by Gandolfini, Janssen and Magaro. The story at first seems "pushed" but soon as the characters are developed you come to see these as real people with real issues (unlike the nonsense of most all of Tarantino's junk). Although slow, the plot moves along well and ends with a nice conclusion. Lastly, the cinematography develops the mood of the film and the dying (at least in winter) of the old Jersey shore perfectly.If you have to see multiple senseless killings with a 100+ decibel score, then skip this film, but if you want to see a well acted film about people, then I recommend Down the Shore.

Down the Shore is a small drama that soars way above your expectations. It concerns 3 childhood friends living in a small town whose lives are thrown into turmoil when a stranger comes to visit. It takes it time to set up the premise by which time you get to know the characters involved. With a smart script, it sucks you in and you quickly get involved in the lives of the characters. It never goes where you think it will and the acting throughout is just superb by all members of the talented cast. The sadly deceased James Gandolfino puts in a towering performance as a man tortured by the past. There is a melancholy air throughout the film accentuated by a sparse and bleak landscape. This is an intelligent film that deserves a much wider audience and is well worth seeking out.

As Tony Soprano James Gandolfini has left an Enduring Icon in Popular Culture. An Actor who Carried His Bulk Uneasily, yet with Intimidation, Always seemed to be Struggling against Gravity. Inside was a Smoldering Fire that He seemed to Restrain Except for an Occasional Outburst that Resembled a Raging Bull.In this Little Seen, Little Movie He gives an Actor's Showcase along with a Strong Cast, as a Sensitive Soul that is Bitter about the Life He was Given. When a Stranger Shows Up and says that He was Married to His Vacationing Sister, Gandolfini is Suspect and is Outraged when he is told some Very Bad News.This is a Chilling and Atmospheric Movie that is Interspersed with Interpersonal Relationships that are Fragile and Long Suffering. It is a Slice of Jersey Life with a Background of a Small Amusement Park that Recalls a Remanence of a Neglected Bastard Child of Coney Island Long Removed from its Glory Days.Certainly Worth a View for those that are Attracted to Real Life Scenarios Without a lot of Packaging and is a Somewhat Subtle Display of Repressed Emotions and a Depressing Existence. It is the Environment of an Abusive Family Life and a Cold Setting of a Sunless Beach and a Wintery Carnival that like the Humans that Inhabit are Distinctively Dislocated from a Friendly or Attractive Place that is Conducive for Thriving and Prospering.