Rating: 
Summary: Superb Character Study
Review: 'Spring Forward', currently making the rounds in selected art theaters across the country is for the most part a two- man play filmed over the course of one year, outdoors, in lovely Ridgefield, Connecticut.It stars the wonderful actor Ned Beatty and usually type-casted bad guy Liev Schreiber as city park workers. Beatty is near retirement and Schreiber is his eventual replacement. Over that one year period we watch these two guys begin to open up to each other and eventually become best friends. Schreiber gains the most from this friendship learning to take things in stride from the older and wiser Beatty. However, Beatty gains from the friendship also and gets a second chance to be the father figure he always wanted to be. If an action film is what you are looking for, 'Spring Forward' is not for you. But, if you'd like to see a well made character study film, rare in this day and age, I would strongly recommend this movie.It is the kind of film that will touch you and then wont allow you to let go.
Rating:
Summary: Dynamic Acting, Beautiful Scenery
Review: A low budget movie, that has only two people talking throughout? No special effects, no action scenes--just the lives of two ordinary, yet extraordinary men. At times the movie seems to be like the dialogues of Socrates without the pedantry Socrates had for constants; at other times, like rich character studies; and other times, like a rich portrait of Maine. But no matter how different the four parts (four seasons) of the movie are, the parts seem to add up to something beyond the whole. Plot lines, themes, topics are put down and then continued in ways that bring the movie together. And the themes, and dramas of the characters--there is something wonderfully prosiac to all of them. By the end of the film, you don't just know the two characters, they become like friends. And you're generally sorry to have to see them go. Daniel Clausen
Daniel Clausen.com
Rating:
Summary: Dynamic Acting, Beautiful Scenery
Review: A low budget movie, that has only two people talking throughout? No special effects, no action scenes--just the lives of two ordinary, yet extraordinary men. At times the movie seems to be like the dialogues of Socrates without the pedantry Socrates had for constants; at other times, like rich character studies; and other times, like a rich portrait of Maine. But no matter how different the four parts (four seasons) of the movie are, the parts seem to add up to something beyond the whole. Plot lines, themes, topics are put down and then continued in ways that bring the movie together. And the themes, and dramas of the characters--there is something wonderfully prosiac to all of them. By the end of the film, you don't just know the two characters, they become like friends. And you're generally sorry to have to see them go. Daniel Clausen
Daniel Clausen.com
Rating:
Summary: brilliant
Review: Brilliant soundtrack. Brilliant editing. Brilliant story and dialog. Brilliant acting. See it and see it again.
Rating:
Summary: Hidden gem!!
Review: Can a movie with no plot or action to speak of be any good? Well, the answer is yes and no and it all depends on who's asking. Most of the people I know would have no patience to sit through Spring Forward probably because it's a slow moving character study and involves no action. No guns, car chases, or explosions, just wonderfully written dialogue and strong fleshed-out characters. These days those qualities seem to be in such short supply and that's one of the reasons I loved every minute of this film.
The movie follows two Parks Department workers around on their daily errands. Harold(Ned Beatty)is the veteran who is on the verge of retirement and Paul(Liev Schreiber)is the new guy who just got out of jail for armed robbery. I knew what to expect from Beatty but was greatly surprised by Schreiber's performance--he was brilliant throughout. I never even heard of him before this movie.
The movie moves at its own pace, which is rather slow, but once I got into it the time went by rather quickly. The only conflict in the movie stems from Paul and his inclination toward self-desctruction. Paul's hit on some bad times and things haven't been looking up, but he seems like a decent guy who's trying to improve himself. Harold sees that and trys to give him some guidance without being overbearing. In return, Paul helps Harold deal with some guilt he feels towards his seriously ill son. The relationship that develops between the two men is truly special and handled with any hint of sentimentality.
I saw Spring Forward on a recommendation from a friend at work and couldn't thank him enough after I had watched it. I watch a lot of movies but there always seem to be some great ones that I haven't seen and love the feeling of discovering them for the first time. This is definitely one of them.
Rating:
Summary: One to watch...
Review: I rented this movie because Ned Beatty's acting is wonderful and I have become a fan of Liev Schreiber's. These two actors really compliment each other in this very touching movie. You believe that they work together every day even though this movie was shot a few weeks every season. Frankly, it could've been a little longer. I would like to have learned more about Murphy's drinking problem and Paul's earlier years. This is a gem and I have become a believer in independent films. this is where you will find satisfying art well worth your dollars. I hope Liev Schreiber continues to choose wonderful roles such as this rather than the "big studion" lure of "big money". Great movie.
Rating:
Summary: One to watch...
Review: I rented this movie because Ned Beatty's acting is wonderful and I have become a fan of Liev Schreiber's. These two actors really compliment each other in this very touching movie. You believe that they work together every day even though this movie was shot a few weeks every season. Frankly, it could've been a little longer. I would like to have learned more about Murphy's drinking problem and Paul's earlier years. This is a gem and I have become a believer in independent films. this is where you will find satisfying art well worth your dollars. I hope Liev Schreiber continues to choose wonderful roles such as this rather than the "big studion" lure of "big money". Great movie.
Rating:
Summary: WHERE AND WHEN WILL THEY RERELEASE THIS TREASURE?!
Review: In the past two years of, for the most part, mediocre and tiresome movies replaying the same storyline of explosions backed by power ballads sung by aging rock stars, it was a pleasure to see two great performers, the under-recognized genius Ned Beatty and the intensely compelling Liev Schriever, in a story that was fresh, funny and endearing. The chemestry, the performances and the dialogue are unmatched in recent years. Simply put, I loved this beautiful movie. I remember sitting in my seat for a good five minutes or so after the credits finished rolling, heaving a sigh and wiping tears from my eyes knowing that, for most movie-lovers, there are a handful of movies that really reach the audience in a real, emotional, human way. There are a hundred, two hundred, three hundred movies that the true faithful will go to in order to experience that feeling again. This was the movie I was looking for.....BUT, where is it??? It was in theaters (far too few) over a year ago, and now, no rerelease, no DVD, no VHS, no rentals...What gives? I would hate to see this movie lost to the the audience it could reach. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE MAKE THIS MOVIE AVAILABLE.
Rating:
Summary: Simple, Awesome movie!
Review: My husband and I rented this movie because it "sounded interesting"... now I bought it because it is such a simple, awesome movie about "life." No bells and whistles... sometimes you're almost confused because you expect this big dramatic scene... but it is just so cool. The actors are great and relate to each other so well... you see their lives "happen" through the seasons... just normal everyday life, but somehow it's more. The movie, for some reason, leaves you thinking and reflecting... what a great film.
Rating:
Summary: A Movie That Requires Some Patience
Review: O.K. I've read the mixed reviews of this movie and have reached my own conclusion. This is the kind of movie that you need to be in a particular mood and mindset to watch. You will appreciate it a lot more if you find yourself in a relaxed, pensive, philosophical type of mood. The acting is top-notch, even Oscar worthy, but the story which is told in short segments like chapters is rather slow which may bore some viewers who are used to fast-paced action movies. I gave it 5 stars for the acting alone. Give it a try...you may like it.
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