realityinmind Obviously the movie is not just about gambling addiction. But that aspect of the movie is portrayed quite accurately. Everyone knows what to expect from Ryan Reynolds, and he did a good job with his acting. But Mendelsohn's performance is immensely underrated. He portrays the sadness, the desperation, the hopelessness, the emptiness, the soullessness... everything that hides behind the eyes and within the mind of a gambling addict. He knows that gambling is not about winning money at all. (And the soundtrack is GREAT!). I will use this opportunity to recommend "Owning Mahowny" if you are interested in seeing another great movie about gambling addiction with the late great Philip Seymour Hoffman. I give "Mississippi Grind" 6.5/10

adonis98-743-186503 Down on his luck and facing financial hardship, Gerry teams up with younger charismatic poker player, Curtis, in an attempt to change his luck. The two set off on a road trip through the South with visions of winning back what's been lost. Mississippi Grind is a very different film for both Ben Mendelsohn and Ryan Reynolds and although they do try their best and they do have a nice chemistry together as the two leads the film is long and mostly a bland road trip about this 2 people that want to win some money threw poker and they basically test their luck each time they play. The acting is fine but the script and mostly the direction that the movie takes is what basically kills it and honestly it's not a recommend although if you're sick of the big Hollywood Blockbusters? You might enjoy it although both actors have starred in much better films in general. (5/10)

merklekranz Questionable entertainment value, watching two '" train wrecks" happening at the same time. It's a buddy road movie with the theme being the pathetic lives that are the result of compulsive gambling. Two losers like Ben Mendelsohn and Ryan Reynolds play certainly don't deserve any glorification. The low point is when Mendelsohn tries to steal money from his ex-wife. The acting is good, however the story meanders, and at times is sleep inducing. You do get some nice photography of various towns along the Mississippi. What is not so nice is the toxic effect their gambling addiction has on their relationships. Both characters come across as self serving jerks, with little regard for anything but their own destructive behavior. - MERK

jadavix "Mississippi Grind" is a very good drama that keeps you enthralled largely due to the strength of its performances. It follows two gamblers, one compulsive and down on his luck, the other younger, more charismatic, and luckier. The first uses the second as a good luck charm.There are some truthful, depressing scenes involving Mendelsohn as the degenerate who has ruined his relationship with his wife and daughter and can't stop. These scenes feel raw in the best way. You feel like you are watching something real, and it's painful but gripping.If you have seen a few movies about compulsive gamblers, you probably know how this one is going to end. If you know anything about compulsive gambling, you also probably know how this story would end in reality. It's not that you want a bleak ending after getting to know these characters, it's that you know this illness isn't cured by success.