#TIFF15: “MISSISSIPPI GRIND”

Films have visited gambling addiction in the past like Owning Mahony and The Gambler, but Mississippi Grind from Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck, goes a bit deeper into the psyche of our down-and-out hero Gerry, thanks to a flawless performance by Australian talent Ben Mendelsohn.

The story follows a pair of gamblers, the lucky Curtis (Ryan Reynolds) who seems to bring to Gerry good fortunes whenever he’s around. Already in serious debt, Gerry hopes to make good with his wife Dorothy (Robin Weigert), on a panicked mission to pay back his gambling debt. Meanwhile, Curtis seeks commitment from a long-distance flame Simone (Sienna Miller), who just might be the one. His need to go about his own path however could impact Gerry detrimentally.

Mississippi Grind may lag in its developing stages, but Mendelsohn manages to keep us focussed in what looks imminently looks like a train about to derail. Despite a trail of hits and misses in his recent repertoire, Reynolds is cast perfectly as the gutsy and sensitive Curtis, completing a perfect Exactor with Mendelsohn.

See Mississippi Grind, to be released via VVS Films, at TIFF:

Wed  Sep 16 6:30 PM

ROY THOMSON HALL  

Thu  Sep 17 12:00 PM

VISA SCREENING ROOM (ELGIN)  

Sat  Sep 19 3:00 PM

VISA SCREENING ROOM (ELGIN)