Mississippi Grind – Review

Mississippi Grind is a character study which presents itself as almost a buddy gambling adventure. The story of a weathered player (Mendelsohn) looking for a new source of luck and finding it in a younger drifter (Reynolds) may seem plain, but it is enhanced by some strong acting. Both characters are fully realized and their interaction provides insight into personal virtues.

The two slowly traverse the highs and lows of winning and losing while traveling through the southern United States. It may be too slow for some, and while it does not offer anything too new or revelatory, the movie is very well done. For those that want to see Ryan Reynolds doing something other than purely goofy comic relief and action, here is a chance.

Gambling never really got its hooks in me, though I can still have a fun time playing blackjack or poker with friends. Quite a difference compared to a kid in high school who would go from the bowling alley casino’s blackjack tables straight to school in the morning after an all-night binge. This movie is more about the latter personality type.