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The sight of two lost souls finding something unavoidably necessary in each other carries The Upside of Anger through it pleasant episodic drift. When Terry Wolfmeyer (Joan Allen) realizes that her husband won't be coming home again, she hits the skids and the bottle, leaving her four thunderstruck daughters (Alicia Witt, Keri Russell, Erika Christensen, and Evan Rachel Wood) to fend for themselves while she fends off the attentions of concerned neighbor Denny Davies (Kevin Costner). Writer/director Mike Binder (who has a good bit as Costner's sleazy producer) juggles too many subplots in this comedy/drama--his charming young actresses are all but wasted--then tosses in a wrongheaded climactic twist and terrible explanatory narration from young Wood. But the two leads do career-best turns: If you've given up hope on Costner, you'll be surprised by his shaggy dog appeal as a perpetually soused radio show host/faded ex-baseball star, while Allen's boozy, brittle performance is so remarkable that even her comic drunkenness is nuanced. --Steve Wiecking ... Read more

Reviews (26)

Great film, one of the best so far in 2005
Genre: Drama, Dark Comedy, Melodrama

Genre Grade: A

Final Grade: A-

This was an amazing movie. It was absolutely hysterical, devestatingly honest, and only a tad into the overly-melodramatic side. The acting was dead-on (Oscar-worthy without a doubt), and the story had so much to offer, even outside it's predictable main plot. The way this movie captures "anger" as the emotion itself and just the way it affects us all was incredible. I would not be suprised to see this little indy win some awards, but I hope Hollywood doesn't forget about it since it was released so early.

I recommend this movie to everyone. It's not all that artistic (in other words it won't confuse/scare off those of you who don't like those kinds of movies). It reminded me of a cross between American Beauty and The Virgin Suicides, only this movie had a lot more heart in it.

The Upside Of Anger
Take an egg and whisk it around in a bowl then spread it around in a pan and you'll get 'The Upside Of Anger'. We all take a beating sometimes it's just what happens next that matters.

'The Upside Of Anger' invigourates the senses and leaves the viewer in a constant state of euphoria thoughout the entire running time of the film.

So mesmerized was I to the six leads that no matter what occured onscreen I could never tear my eyes away for even a second. I was transfixed and enlightened. But anyone would feel this way when angry dialogue or objects are not propelled through the atmosphere at them at a terrific speed.

So one of the things that might attract an audience apart from the stellar and always appealling cast, is the fact that while anger is displayed on the screen for viewers to observe and identify with, it is watchable because nothing is happening to us now at this very moment in the cinema seats.

Kevin Costner, is back in fine form after a string of hits but mostly misses.

Evan Rachel Wood gets more and more stunning as her delightful film career expands. She is always a joy to watch. She was the highlight of my movie experience.

Joan Allen was remarkable. I wouldn't want to be in her sights if I got out of line. She has looks that can kill.

Keri Russell is a real gem. She has lost none of the appeal that made her so terrific as Felicity Porter on 'Felicity'. She goes beyond any other work she has done in the past, and excelled in every respect.

However I couldn't help but think of her co-stars in 'Felicity' inspired situations.

As bright and fresh as anything we may get this year, 'The Upside Of Anger' is like a sunflower in bloom. The film glows with a lightness only this unique assortment of actors could give it. As special a cast line up as the film 'Closer' with Julia Roberts, Jude Law, Natalie Portman, Clive Owen.

You'll find yourself wishing on stars but the only adjustment one may have to make if family life is not always ideal, can be found much closer here on earth. The ability to communicate. You may not sort out all of your differences in one conversation, but you'd be much more relieved after it, then if you leave it go, until it explodes into many different directions like age old stars. Do something now before it's too late and young children have grown miraculously before your very eyes.

By the time 'The Upside Of Anger' ends you'll feel anything but 'The Upside Of Anger'. Flip a coin if you have to, and you're sure to come out of the cinema a winner. Whatever you do, just don't miss out on this wonderful film. I'd bet all of my bottom dollars you'd love it.

The Mike Binder Character
I don't know why people had a problem with the Mike Binder character.I thought he was the perfect adversary to the Joan Allen character.The movie needed a male character for Joan Allen to vent all of her hostility against men--and her husband--onto someone.Yeah, Mike Binder was a sleazy character.Wasn't Joan Allen's husband supposed to be like that?When you see Mike Binder, you can understand why Joan Allen would react the way she does to someone like her husband.She certainly wouldn't react that way to the Kevin Costner character.He was supposed to be a supportive guy.Let's face it--that's life.There are bruised women like Joan Allen who have a vendetta against men.It's universal.Check out Spain's "Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown."There are some men who use women like Mike Binder.And there are some men who are actually decent to women like Kevin Costner.That's what I liked about this movie.It was pretty realistic about the emotion of anger.

Missing A Gear
THE UPSIDE OF ANGER has so much going for it:a once-happily married housewife (Joan Allen) thrown into rage and despair when she's convinced her husband has left the country to be with his secretary; a washed-up, boozing, ex-baseball player (Kevin Costner) who is lonely and fears the emptiness of his life; and four teenage daughters, each one of them coping with the abrupt disappearance of their father while they embark on the problematic, often disappointing, experiences of teenage life.Thus, the stage is set for a powerful, compelling, bittersweet film, yet THE UPSIDE OF ANGER misses the mark, and misses it badly.

The weak link certainly doesn't exist within the actors.Allen gives a gutsy, vindictive, manipulative, and heartfelt performance as broken-hearted Terry Wolfmeyer--a woman who drowns her sorrows with vodka and takes out her anger and rage on anyone and everyone around her.Costner, who for years has been nothing more than a Hollywood afterthought, turns in a superb performance as former Detroil Tiger great Denny Davies, a friend of the Wolfmeyer family who finds himself drawn by Terry's pain, and ultimately becomes her soulmate.Alicia Witt, Erika Christensen, Keri Russell, and Evan Rachel Wood are all very convincing (and often very funny) as the silent-suffering daughters.The chemistry and interaction of the players--as they sit around the dinner table, as they quarrel, laugh, cry--is terrific and completely believable.

So what's wrong?The problem lies with writer/director Mike Binder (who also plays a sleazy radio producer in the film).I felt like Binder was given the keys to a Lexus, but never taught how to drive it.The movie, the scenes, the pacing, were all so uneven, even choppy, that I found myself losing complete interest in the story.Even worse was the screenplay; it was hollow and superficial, and almost every scene came across as unorganized and ad libbed.Much of the dialogue absolutely went nowhere, ending by an actor shaking his or her head and muttering, "Oh. . .never mind."It was painful to watch; even more painful was the realization Binder squandered a golden opportunity to make an absolutely wonderful film.

What salvaged this review from a two-star to a three-star rating was the ending; it came completely out of nowhere, and it was incredibly powerful and moving.THE UPSIDE OF ANGER does have a tremendous upside--the acting.Unfortunately, the downside--the pacing and writing--drags this movie down, way down.
--D. Mikels

Keep Your Sunnyside Up
"The Upside of Anger" is a movie about trying to find the best in the worst situations, as the title may already suggest. There is an "upside" to anger. But I don't think the movie presents this idea in the most effective ways which is sad because the movie has so much promise.

The movie was made by first time writer\director Mike Bender. Bender, whom I think is talented, doesn't present these character is a realistic way. Allen and Costner, though at times quite wonderful to watch, seems to be too broad and cartoonish. The situations and characters seem to over-the-top. There is a level of sincerity missing.

The movie stars Joan Allen as Terry Wolfmeyer, who's husband has disappear, apparently he has gone to Sweden with his secretary and left behind his four daughts; Erika Christensen (Andy), Keri Russell (Emily), Evan Rachel Wood ("Popeye"), and Alice Witt (Hadley). The relationship between these people never hits a real note, and I should know since I currently leave in a house filled with women. My mother, two sisters, my grandmother and my aunt, beat that! Then there is Denny Davies (Costner) an ex ball player who host a radio show that refuses to talk about baseball. Soon Denny and Terry become drinking buddies, though we suspect Denny wants something more.

Despite all the film's flaws one has to admit Allen and Costner are likeable characters. Costner though needed this movie to come along. I can't think of the last decent film I've seen him in. After "Dances with Wolves" and "JFK" I don't know what happened to him. Allen on the other hand usual picks good roles. And her presents in this film makes us think of the much better "Ice Storm".

Now if Allen and Costner are the highpoints of the film then writer\director Mike Bender is the low point. What a terrible character he has written for himself. You would have thought given that he wrote the movie he might of given himself a better part. His character slows the movie down to a halt! He is not needed at all. The film could have gotten along fine without him. Bender, whom some may know as the star of a short lived HBO series "Mind of the Married Man" doesn't even do himself the service of playing a likeable jerk. If we could only see some good in his character with MIGHT put up with him, but there nothing there. I think the movie works best when Bender is offscreen.

I think if "The Upside of Anger" wouldn't have been so broad and try to define all of these characters a bit more this could have been a really great film. I remained only mildly entertained. I walked in with good intentions but very soon realized the movie wasn't going to live up to them.

The daughters in the film are played by some truly gifted young women. I'm a very big fan of Erika Christensen who after making the film "Traffic" hasn't quite been in anything as powerful as that film. It is though a nice recovery from "Swimfan" at the very least. And Evan Rachel Wood who was in "Thirteen" is fine in her role, but, I felt not used enough. I'm also a fan of Keri Russell's who I thought was great in "Felicity" though again her scenes with Allen don't quite hit home. I had difficulty buying what the movie was selling.

Overall I thik this is a harmless movie that people should see but just be warned a lot of the film's praise is slightly hyped. Also, for no apparent reason the film has a political bent. And I still don't understand what politics is doing in a movie like this.

Bottom-line: Two wonderful performances given by Joan Allen and Kevin Costner save the film from becoming a dud. The movie doesn't quite seems real though. It's too broad and that hurts the movie from leaving much of an impression on us given the material. ... Read more

Description

Settle back for a delightful INDIAN SUMMER -- the heartwarming comedy about eight friends who reunite at their summer camp after 20 years! Starring an impressive ensemble cast including Elizabeth Perkins (CATS AND DOGS, 28 DAYS) and Alan Arkin (AMERICA'S SWEETHEARTS, GROSSE POINTE BLANK), no sooner do the visitors arrive than they return to the best summer of their lives -- practical jokes, midnight kitchen raids, boat races, campfire stories, and secret romances pick up right where they left off! And with so much hilarity and excitement, the fun never stops. Pack your gear, this week at camp is sure to be a hilarious, feel-good treat for everyone. ... Read more

Reviews (29)

Very enjoyable and highly recommended
Like many of the other reviewers I saw this movie in the early to mid 90's on either Showtime or HBO and really enjoyed it which is a little odd because normally I watch really dark comedies or horror movies. I probably liked it so much because it brought back memories of being at Boy Scout camp and borrowing the canoes to paddle over to the Girl Scout camp across the lake at night. I won't go into the plot because it's already been covered very well by the other reviewers. I will say that fans of horror movies might be interested that Sam Raimi of Evil Dead fame makes an appearance in the movie as the handyman Stick which is fitting since the first 2 Evil Dead movies contained references to Camp Tamakwa.

The Big Chill meets Meatballs in funny, touching film
"Indian Summer" is a wonderful film saluting "the Golden Era" of Camp Tamakwa (a real camp in the Canadian/New York wilderness), but it's also about reconnecting with youth, friends, love and nature. Uncle Lou (Alan Arkin), Camp Tamakwa's camp supervisor for many years, invites campers from "the Golden Era" (the early to mid 1970s) as a reunion of sorts, and a group of friends and ex-campers make the trek back to the woods and their youth. Matt (Vincent Spano) and Kelly (Julie Warner) are on vacation to "work on their marriage;" Matt's having a mid-life crisis, and Kelly just wants to know where she stands. Jennifer (Elizabeth Perkins) is Matt's ex-camp-girlfriend and Kelly's best friend, swept away by the nostalgia of camp. Brad (Kevin Pollack) is Matt's cousin, business partner, King of the Shreks (camp pranks), and a constant commentator of how small everything's gotten. Beth (Diane Lane) is a ex-camp tomboy, whose husband Rick recently died. Jack (Bill Paxton), Rick's best friend, was expelled from camp by Uncle Lou long ago, but still rated an invitation. Jamie (Matt Craven) never really grew up, and brought his young fiance Gwen (Kimberley Williams) up for a week of fun & games. Helping Uncle Lou out is the camp maintenence man, Stick (Sam Raimi, taking a hilarious step from behind the camera). Through the week, these friends reconnect, relive camp memories (first kiss), pulling camp gags (short-sheeting, hand-in-warm-water, etc.), participating in camp activities (the Tamakwa-thon), and working out their various problems. Over these precedings looms the prospect of Uncle Lou closing the camp for good. Everyone does an admirable job; you can actually feel their joy and pain. The photography is beautiful; the washed-out opening credits give way to the awesome colors of the woods in early autumn. The DVD edition says fullscreen, but is thankfully, and deservingly, in WIDESCREEN. This is a funny, touching film filled with the ongoing process of 'growing pains', and it's a special tribute for 'campers' and ex-campers alike. Pack your gear, it's definitely worth the trip.

Yes, the DVD is WIDESCREEN, not Fullscreen!
I absolutely cherish this film. I own it on laserdisc in widescreen. Since it came out on DVD over a year ago, I must have passed it up over a dozen times in the stores because on the back of the package it says it is presented in butchered fullscreen. Well, it didn't say "butchered", but film lovers know that a pan-and-scan fullscreen presentation of a film shot in widescreen is butchered. So I read the recent review bemoaning the fact that the DVD is actually widescreen, and I thought I would buy it and take the chance. Sure enough, widescreen! Excellent! The daytime scenes in the film have an orange tint to them, but I believe that is true of the laserdisc as well, and may be the way they filmed it to give it the "warm" feeling of summer. Even the cover art has an orange tint. The sound could have been in 5.1, but as presented it is 2.0, which is actually quite fine given the predominantly dialogue nature of the film. If you ever went to summer camp as a kid, and now in your mid-life years wish you could capture some of it back, this charming drama/light comedy with an adult theme will have you hooked for life!

Great movie, but BOOOOOOO to the DVD
I saw this movie the first time back when I was in highschool and really liked it, and had actually nearly forgotten about it until I saw it, instantly remembered it, and bought it. What I didn't notice until I was home and had opened it was that it was Fullscreen. A minor setback, I thought. I figured I'd just return it for the widescreen version-- until I realized that there is no widescreen version. This is almost unheard of for the DVD medium. I can't think of a single movie I own that isn't widescreen (or any movie at all that isn't at least available in both formats).

If Fullscreen doesn't bother you, you won't have any problem with this DVD, as the movie is really good. If you're like me however, you'll be disappointed when you realize that there is no Widescreen translation of this DVD yet.

At least it was cheap.

Fantastic ensemble picture
"Indian Summer" isn't the sort of film I normally watch. A light comedy about the innocence of childhood contrasted with the problems of adulthood, the film engages in deep sentimentality on a regular basis. I am rarely suckered in by sappy, syrupy movies. "Indian Summer" is different; I first saw the film on cable back in the early 1990s and quickly learned to like its ensemble cast, wonderful scenery, and funny moments. Since I usually watch horror films, the irony of viewing a movie set at a summer camp where no one expires at the hands of a machete wielding madman still makes me chuckle. When I stumbled over a DVD version of "Indian Summer" recently, I knew I had to revisit the movie. I suspected I wouldn't enjoy it as much as I did ten years ago. I was wrong. The movie resonates even more deeply because I am ten years older than when I first saw it. I never went to summer camp as a child, except for a weekend stay as part of a sixth grade project, but I can completely identify with many of the movie's themes nonetheless. I think most of us tend to idealize memories of our childhood even if the recollections aren't as poignant as we would like to think. "Indian Summer" captures perfectly this tendency and throws it back at you with a few laughs.

The owner of Camp Tamakwa, "Uncle" Lou Handler (Alan Arkin), has finally decided to sell his summer camp and retire. He feels that the kids today don't identify with him like they once did, so he wants to move on. Before he sells, though, he decides to hold a reunion at the camp and invite as many of his former guests as he can. Only seven show up: Jamie Ross (Matt Craven), Beth Warden (Diane Lane), Jack Belston (Bill Paxton), Jennifer Morton (Elizabeth Perkins), Brad Berman (Kevin Pollack), Matthew Berman (Vincent Spano), and Kelly Berman (Jennifer Warner). Ross brings along his young girlfriend Gwen Daugherty (Kimberly Williams), which brings the total to eight. All seven of these people are now in their thirties, with busy lives in the city and a host of adult problems. For example, Brad and Matthew Berman run a clothing company, but Matt wants out so he can pursue his dream of becoming an artist. His wife Kelly, whom he met at the camp as a child, has issues with Matt that could very well lead to divorce. Beth Warden's husband recently passed away, so she has serious recovery issues with which to deal. Jamie Ross is an arrogant dolt that treats women as objects, perhaps due to some inferiority issues and a fear of growing older. Jennifer Morton is the chain-smoking cynic who has yet to find a husband. And Jack Belston was the one kid kicked out of camp for an unspecified incident, and whose life has since been one long downward spiral.

Camp Tamakwa might not heal all wounds, but it will fix many a problem. As Uncle Lou runs the adults through the daily routine of summer camp, such as sailing, swimming tests, hikes, boxing, and foot races, the old identities of childhood start to reassert themselves. The group complains about the lousy food, play practical jokes on one another (called "shrecks," for some reason), and generally reconnect with the important things in life. Gradually, problems that seemed insurmountable and best left unsaid in the city come out at Tamakwa. We discover why Lou kicked Belston out of camp, and see the issue resolved. Brad and Matt hash out their business problems, and Kelly learns to stand up to her husband in the boxing ring. Beth learns to face the death of her loved one head on with a little help from Jack Belston. Gwen Daugherty, although not a member of the Tamakwa clique, learns to stand up to her domineering boyfriend and make her issues heard. And the whole group gets a lot of laughs by poking fun at Lou's clumsy helper Stick Coder (Sam Raimi). By the time the campers leave, they have a better grasp on their personal issues.

Director and scriptwriter Mike Binder has fashioned an immensely enjoyable picture with "Indian Summer." It is tough to make an ensemble movie with characters and plot threads as well developed as they are here. By the end of the movie, you know these characters intimately. All the actors do a superb job, but special mention goes to Alan Arkin, Kevin Pollack, Bill Paxton, and Julie Warner. I cannot remember a film where Arkin failed to turn in a bravura performance, and he does so again as the benevolent father figure Lou Handler. Paxton has the troubled drifter role down pat, and Pollack charms with his usual humor (no William Shatner impressions here, unfortunately). The incredibly beautiful Julie Warner never fails to catch my eye in any film she is in. She was probably the reason I watched the picture in the first place. The best part of the film happens at the beginning when the adults arrive at the camp and the scenery's colors suddenly explode into bright brilliancy. What a great way to show the dreariness of adult life compared to the memories of childhood!

"Indian Summer" is definitely worth seeing. Unfortunately, the DVD doesn't have any extras, not even a commentary track from some of the actors, which would have been nice. I really ought to quit renting this one and just buy a copy. Of course, I would have to hide it behind a mountain of horror movies on the shelf just in case anyone I know happened to see it sitting there. I have a reputation to protect, after all. Give "Indian Summer" a look the next time you're in the video store. Chances are you will probably enjoy it. ... Read more

Reviews (26)

Great sex comedy/farce
I have to say this is the funniest little comedy I have watched in years. I have seen it pop up on HBO a lot and missed it and finally rented it and enjoyed the hell out of it. I have been laughing my self sick at HBO'S MIND OF THE MARRIED MAN and think Mike Binder is the best new comic to come around since I fist saw Steve Martin in the seventies. He's got the best droll take on marriage and I'm guessing this film is the forerunner of his tv show. He's an ispired comic and as a director gets a wicked performance from Mariel Hemingway who has got great timing and is still, I have to say, awesome to look at. Steve Baldwin is in this and so is Kevin Pollack. Both very funny. Fast, silly, sexy, racy, and inspired. Rent it, buy it whatever. I think this was Binder's first movie and I predict he's going to be a guy on the level of Woody Allen one day.

Mike Taylor. Kalamazoo Michigan

Worth it just for the soundtrack!
The premise of the movie is what happens when a wife finally gives in and allows another woman into the bedroom with her and her husband. My husband and I saw this about a year ago and we still laugh about it. I'm married to one of those guys who occasionally (and jokingly) submits a request to share our bedroom with an extra woman. Ladies, if your husband or boyfriend is constantly nagging you for this same ridiculous request (either seriously or jokingly), make him watch this movie with you. If he doesn't change his mind, he'll have something to think about before he asks again.

The acting is pretty good, but we're not talking Oscar quality here. It was a cute film. Not too raunchy. No great belly laughs, but continuous giggles throughout the film.

The best component of the movie was the soundtrack. It's fabulous. If anyone knows how I can get my hands on the CD, let me know.

If for no other reason, if you're looking for a slightly sexy, fun movie to watch as a couple, or even with your girlfriends, I highly recommend this film. It was a lot of fun.

I thought this movie was hilarious
I ended up seeing this film, on one of the movie channels on my cable. I usually don't like soft-core pornography, but this movie is more about the laughs than it is about the sex.

I think it's funny how the husband is so estatic that he has a lesbian for a wife, until he's out of the picture.

I really just thought this film was hilarious, and because it doesn't focus only on the sexual aspect I'm going to reccomend it to alot of my friends.

low quality exloitatio nfilm
Sick film, alwful and pointless. No plot, not funny, emberessing.

Binder is hilarious
Mike Binder and his wife Mariel Hemingway have a menage a trois and Hemingway cant get enough of them. Binder is going totally insane and thinks his wife is going to far. hilarious performance by Mike Binder...especially all those times their having a three some, he leaves the room and ends up on the couch...funny as hell..some parts are better then others but its a good comedy. other cast include Stephen Baldwin as Binders friend and Kevin Pollack as a doctor. Directed by Mike Binder ... Read more

Reviews (7)

Funny
This movie is funny including Damon Wayans, and David Alan Grier. They should have been known as a best team, including that David Alan Grier should be named Just_A_Normal_SidekickMan. I give it a ...(5 out of 5).

An Funny, Goofy Comedy.
A Mentally Challenge Man (Damon Wayans) with a Knack of Making Something New with Virious Gadgets of Junk, who is Trying to Change the City of Chicago, who wants to Put-Down the Violence from Street Gangs and Another Crimes. He decide to Built Himself a Crime Fighting Costumes with Weapons of his Own, with the Help of his Older, Wiser Reporter Brother (David Alan Grier) and the Younger Brother becomes a Superhero!

Directed by Mike Binder (Indian Summer) made a goofy light comedy thanks to Damon Wayans-(TV's My Wife and Kids) Dumb Enjoyable Performabce as the Title Role. Robin Givens (Boomerang) plays the Reporter, who has affections of Wayans. The Film was a Box Office Flop in Theaters but Is more Enjoy on Video than it Did in Theaters. It's a Not-Bad Superhero Spoof Suffers from Too Much Language for Kids and Not enough Laughs for Adults. The Film may be Forgotten but It's Still Enjoyable One. Grade:B.

HILARIOUS!
ONE OF THE BEST COMEDIES I'VE EVER SEEN! (Accept for Little Nickey.) If you like Major Pain, Blue Streak, or Dude Were's My Car, you'll love this!

Anyone Can Be A Hero...
I loved this movie! I thought that it was a great send up of the "superhero" movie... Damon Wayens plays a nerd that gets tired of all the crime that happens in the neighborhood. After the sensless murder of his Grandmother, Damon's charactor takes a stand agienst crime... I think that the movie was funny. Sure the guy was childlike, but his heart was in the right place... This is a must have for those that are into the "superhero" type films...

I don't care what Leonard Matlin's lackeys say...
Blankman was good. I don't know they were stressing about. The movie was did what it was set out to do -- entertain. And that's exactly what it did. I NJOI watching this movie and I love the music in the movie! I wish I could get the soundtrack, but I can't seem to find it. Damon and Grier have great chemistry and it shows in their comedy. Blankman is funny as hell at some points, y'all just don't understand. The movie was bangin', y'all just can't relate. ... Read more

Description

Hailed nationwide by critics, CROSSING THE BRIDGE is an entertaining winner you're sure to enjoy -- starring Josh Charles (DEAD POETS SOCIETY), Stephen Baldwin (BORN ON THE FOURTH OF JULY), and Jason Gedrick (BACKDRAFT). Through thick and thin, Mort, Tim, and Danny were friends. Now they're putting everything on the line with a dangerous drug-smuggling venture promising high-stakes consequences. The trio's about to leave their fun, carefree days behind to face a moment of truth. Their decision will not only determine their freedom, but the future of their lives! ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Good movie...
A great coming of age movie set in 1975 detroit. 3 high school friends are now graduated with uncertain futures. None went to college and none have decent jobs so they are emotionally caught between adulthood and the high school mentality of living at home. Symbolic of this are the high school letter jackets that two of the friends still wear. Stephen baldwin plays a guy who is losing his identity. He was cool in high school but now as an adult he is just another guy. Mort is the most intellectual and introspective of the three but he knows that he needs to go to college to realize his dream of being a writer. A dream that doesn't recieve much support from his friends. In fact he never shares a scholarship notice from central michigan university with them.

Early in the movie they encounter a drug dealer who offers them $9,000 to run some hashish from canada to the usa. Hence the name of the movie because of the bridge that runs between detroit and windsor ontario. The guys can't help but seriously consider that move. They need the money of course but they need a sense of identity even more. Thankfully the movie doesn't dwell too much on this one event but i'm surprised that these guys never once consider the morality of the action just the potential consequences to them. Other mini sub plots take form in the film of course. Their relationship with uncaring parents and romance. There are the cliche stuck up high school class mates who are now in college. One laughable character is a guy who smugly proclaims that he is majoring in pre law. Any one can major in that and most never go to law school.

Things heat up when the fellas decide finally to do the drug run. They deliver this atache filled with money to some really bad dudes in a farm house and realize they have bit off more than they can chew. Instead of hash they are expected to carry heroin across the border and they are lucky to be alive. One of them got beat up really bad. The scenes on the bridge are a bit drawn out but they all eventually decide to leave the car and the heroin and just cross to detroit on foot. This responsible move indicates a crossing over into adulthood and they end up tossing those high school letter jackets into the detroit river.

You will be involved enough in the movie to wonder what happens to these guys in the next ten years. Will mort get that degree and become a writer after all? It works. There is one major problem with the plot. These guys took a lot of money to get drugs in canada and bring them back to the us. What is a drug dealer going to do when he doesn't get the drugs or his money back? we will never know.

The acting is solid and i actually found myself liking stephen balwin's performance. A very good movie but the hole in the plot keeps it from being a 5* film.

.................socks

An excellent way to reminisce
Coming of age movie with emphasis on the results of the decisions we make. Applies to all of us who were indecisive about the future after high school. A good movie with which to reminisce on a cold night.

My favorite "CTB" Character...
I loved this movie, simply due to one certain character...
"High School Senior #3", portrayed by WWE Superstar Sean "XPac"
Waltman. This poor guy really took a pounding from Josh Charles'
& Stephan Baldwin's characters. I'd like to see a sequel to this film w/the main character being HSS#3. Give the dude some respect...he's been pushed around long enough!!

Great Coming-of-Age movie set in Detroit
Anyone who grew up in Detroit in the 70's will recognize most of the characters in this movie. This is the story of recent high school graduates who didn't pursue college who are in that void where they are too old to be kids but haven't become responsible adults yet. Their parents still support them. Their time is their own. They fumble around applying their high school values but essentially doing nothing until they happen upon a way to make some big, quick cash, smuggling hashish into the USA. When they get to the pick-up though they find out that the job is actually heroin. (Nicholas Cage is the heroin dealer.) In the process of deciding what to do, and what happens to them when they balk, they discover a lot about themselves and become real adults. Not to ruin the ending but watch the symbolism of the high school varsity jackets.

Shot on location in Detroit and Canada, if you're a suburban Detroiter this is wonderfully nostalgic too.

A dramatic, charasmatic film, brilliantly directed!
This is a magnificant story of three young men journeying to Windsor, Canada to attempt to smuggle hashish Back to Detroit. What is so powerful about this movie is the fact the it ignores the essence of Windsor, (fully nude strip clubs and all out gambling) and focuses directly on the situation at hand. It also prepares the viewer for a powerful sequel based on a true story of a young man, violently gay, trying to establish himself as a functional heterosexual by journeying to the strip clubs of Windsor in the hope he will be attracted to the opposite sex. The role is so convincingly played by Dave Painter, one must wonder if it is actually his life story. Look for the sequel, if JeffFey productions can budget it, to hit theaters in the year 2000. Special Mention must also be given to that of Jim Frazier, who plays Painter's oddly queer sidekick and partner. Frazier is extremely mellow in his role, yet wears clothes and glasses that gives the viewer the idea he made be a pedofile or serial killer.- JT 1/26/99 ... Read more

Reviews (3)

aaaargh!
I have never before been prompted to write an online review...but this film was so bad I had to warn people not to buy it. With Colin Firth, Jack Dee and Stephen Fry in it I thought it would be good.....a very big let down :o(

Terrible!
Not even Colin Firth could redeem this movie. It has to be one of the worst I have seen in a long time. I had been looking for a copy for a long time to add to my Colin Firth collection, but I wish it had stayed in obscurity known as "Londinium." The title has been changed, perhaps to attract more viewers.
I could tell from the beginning that it was going to be bad. Even the music got on my nerves. All you need to know is that the couples swap spouses, not necessarily ending up "happily ever after." Please avoid this movie!

3 stars only for Colin.
Who told Mariel Hemmingway and Mike Binder they could act? This is a gawd awful movie with those two mannequins moving thru their respective scenes. Irene Jacob, Colin Firth and Stephen Fry give excellent performances with what they are given to work with. One would probably only buy this movie if a fan of the last three. ... Read more