...has an energy and a loucheness all of its own...

| Original Score: 4/5 | Sep 23, 2021

| Original Score: 4/5 | Jun 8, 2021

While at times the dialogue may get a bit too clever, and the general story may dip too often into plot convenience, the acting is top notch, and does just as much to sell the desperation of this world as the dark, moody cinematography...

| Jan 15, 2021

On that note, I should probably add that the film isn't all downer drama, and is actually quite funny and joyful, even at the characters' most pitiable moments, and it features a rockin' soundtrack of classic southern blues.

| Apr 7, 2020

It's a surprising film that wrests unexpected pleasures out of some extremely depressing situations, but it's still not going to convince me to make a return visit to a casino any time soon.

| Jan 10, 2020

A perfectly enjoyable, but forgettable, road flick for a sleepy Sunday evening, but Ryan Reynolds' latest step on the comeback trail isn't the winning hand he'd hoped for.

| Original Score: 3/5 | Apr 18, 2019

[Ryan Reynolds and Ben Mendelsohn] have an effortless chemistry on screen together and are immensely watchable, helped by Boden and Fleck's unshowy direction, which never gets in the way of the actors.

| Original Score: 4/5 | Apr 8, 2019

The nuanced touch of writing-directing team[Anna]Boden and [Ryan] Fleck's the understated approach succeeds.

| Original Score: B | Mar 1, 2019

It's a terrific film, but it came and went in cinemas before many people could discover it.

| Nov 30, 2018

I can't remember another recent movie where I felt like I was watching real people have natural conversations.

| Aug 29, 2018

A welcome throwback film and worth the trip.

| Aug 23, 2018

"Mississippi Grind" is a true gem of a film this year with standout performances by Reynolds and Mendolsohn, and sharp and cutting writing as well as deft direction.

| Original Score: 4/4 | Aug 21, 2018

Whether you view Mississippi Grind as a cautionary tale that highlights the futility of gambling or as an oddly inspirational buddy comedy ultimately belies the larger point: The movie is just so much damn fun.

| Aug 1, 2018

Who would have thought Reynolds and Australia's own Ben Mendelsohn would be such a dynamic screen duo?

| Original Score: 4/5 | May 22, 2018

Chooses not to criticize or pass along judgment to Gerry, but rather showcase his extreme sadness and internal pain, which is something that Ben Mendelsohn superbly illustrates with subtle facial expressions

| Original Score: 4/5 | Dec 3, 2017

Mississippi Grind not only refuses to indulge in the easy pleasures of dramatic momentum, but it pushes its luck by meandering towards a bizarrely extended series of possible endings.

| Nov 10, 2017

Reynolds and Mendelsohn are both excellent in an intelligent and richly atmospheric film that deals as much with addiction and human frailty as it does with friendship.

| Original Score: 4/5 | Oct 26, 2017

While there is a loose story/plot line to the narrative, Boden and Fleck have crafted the perfect interlude to encapsulate a never-ending story with little hope or light.

| Original Score: B- | Sep 22, 2017

Ben Mendelsohn is amazing as the sick gambler, always willing to sink lower, and also Ryan Reynolds is magnificent and outstanding. [Full review in Spanish]

| Original Score: 3.5/5 | May 9, 2016

A loose, funky character study of two guys who can only frame their station as "can't win" and "can't lose," and can't really imagine a life that's anywhere in between.

| May 3, 2016