Grind

GRIND is a small, oddly affecting indie film which escapes its soap opera plotting and ends up an overlooked gem. The story concerns two brothers, the older a stable, married father-to-be, the other a n'er do well just released from prison. Though lovingly taken into the older brother's home, the 'bad' brother just can't seem to escape trouble with desperate characters, not to mention his passionate affair with the brother's confused wife. The movie takes some harrowing turns and is very tasteful with the sexual interludes, allowing some fine character development and a surprising and satisfying conclusion. Indie film vet Adrienne Shelley adds another fine performance to her growing resume of odd films, but the real star is the New York stage actor Billy Crudup (later to be seen in INVENTING THE ABBOTTS and SLEEPERS). With his expressions alternately menacing and innocent and a keen sense of his own power over the camera, this young actor is ready to take off into the stratosphere, not as a patented pretty boy, but as a deeply affecting dramatic talent. GRIND is a fine welcome for him, and for us--keep watching. END

Grind kinds of grinds along with some interpersonal drama and actors who learned lot here and moved on to bigger pictures. Ms. Shelley left us to early. We see all to much of Billy in the most excellent Watchmen. The blue collar ex-con story told here is common enough that it would really have added to the genre past historical value to get that fourth star for what is a pretty average film.

This was a good indie movie. It's fun to see some good actors when they first started out. I think this was Billy Crudup's first movie, and his brother was played by the pharmacist from Nurse Jackie.

An original film, packed with emotion and an intriguing plot. Beautiful cinematography and outstanding performances by all three main characters, but especially Crudup. This movie explores and works out themes like betrayal and forgiveness in relationships within family and marriage. Crudup steals the audience in an outstanding breakout performance to the screen.

Loved this film saw it years ago on TV and have looked for it ever since!

Good early performance from Crudup.

Much like a soap, but the acting was good.

Good oldovie