The Film is a fine character study of a Father/Son relationship from the dark side that is more hopeful than one would expect from the despair surrounding this rough but realistic re-bonding. Everyone on screen is believable and the two leads are impressive and surrounded by characters and scenery that is streetwise.
It is Jeff Bridges' powerfully laid-back anger and unrelenting belief that he can escape this entrapment and maybe provide some guidance and hope despite the odds. His son is mostly incapable of resisting the obvious temptations of his environment, girlfriends, drugs, and the need to get some money.
The Movie is quite engrossing despite its low-budget and downbeat story and is rendered remarkably restrained and never boring. It also resists trying to be too clever or too condescending. This is quite an achievement and deserving of more attention from those seeking something down to earth. This one is all the way down to street level and never, surprisingly, descends to the gutter.
It is Jeff Bridges' powerfully laid-back anger and unrelenting belief that he can escape this entrapment and maybe provide some guidance and hope despite the odds. His son is mostly incapable of resisting the obvious temptations of his environment, girlfriends, drugs, and the need to get some money.
The Movie is quite engrossing despite its low-budget and downbeat story and is rendered remarkably restrained and never boring. It also resists trying to be too clever or too condescending. This is quite an achievement and deserving of more attention from those seeking something down to earth. This one is all the way down to street level and never, surprisingly, descends to the gutter.