wes-connors Approaching retirement age, Connecticut parks and recreation worker Ned Beatty (as Murph) is partnered with young ex-convict Liev Schreiber (as Paul). In dire need of cash, the latter held up a "Dunkin' Donuts". While Mr. Beatty looks back on a life soon culminating with his own tragedy, Mr. Schreiber looks forward to a possible second chance. We begin with Schreiber's hot-tempered encounter with manipulative Campbell Scott (as Ronnie Fredrickson). This begins a father/son bond between the two leading men. Beatty decides to lend Schreiber a helping hand, for reasons which become evident; as we learn about Beatty's relationship with his own, doomed son. Writer/director Tom Gilroy's story unfolds slowly, and includes a couple of disjointed vignettes, but strands weave together outside a funeral home; and, we are left uplifted, after listening to two extraordinary men save lives they never expected to save.******** Spring Forward (9/11/99) Tom Gilroy ~ Ned Beatty, Liev Schreiber, Campbell Scott, Catherine Kellner

heathentart If Brad Pitt is a box of popcorn, then Ned Beatty and Liev Shreiber are full 4-course gourmet meals."Spring Forward" is a snapshot of a year in the life of two disparate men who form a bond as deep and as true as any have been portrayed before. I defy anyone to not be drawn into the bravura performances that dapple the film.Ned Beatty has been on my personal favorites list since the '70s, and time has only perfected his talents. His performance here is delicate, enwrapping and as sparkling as the best diamond.Liev Schreiber is a newer vintage of exemplary actor. I first saw him in "Kate & Leopold," and even in the short time he had in the movie, he stood out as the best of the pack. His further work hasn't disappointed, not even ONCE.I'm not going to tell you what happens in this film. It is for you to discover - this is your treat to be unwrapped and savored.I can say that every part was played exquisitely, from Peri Gilpin to Catherine Kellner to Bill Raymond to the children. Every scene evoked a feeling, a raison d'etre for its existence.What a relief from gratuitous violence and cursing and empty sex. No car chases, no super-loud soundtracks. You won't see any $20 million dollar *actors* in this film. Instead be prepared to fall in love with the script, the setting and the players. There is nothing to dislike in "Spring Forward" and instead of getting a sugar rush, you'll be filled and no longer hungry.P.S. Have a tissue at hand

photoann I love well-executed films of personal transformation and this is one of the best I have ever seen. The filmmaker did an incredible job of casting, dialog, site selection, physical transformation of the two characters, story development, cinematography... I discovered the movie on IFC while working out today and I ended up working out an extra two hours, just so I would not miss any of the film. I was intrigued by the young character, unable to place him, having recently seen him on stage in NYC and as the film unfolded, the character lost the facial hair, and I recognized Liev -- who I believe to be one of today's greatest contemporary actors. Having lived in Ridgefield, CT for ten years, the references were near to my heart, and a wonderful surprise. I absolutely loved this movie.

senortuffy This is really one terrific film. It's about two guys working for the Parks and Recreation Dept. in some little town in Connecticut. Paul has just gotten out of jail for robbing a donut shop and is taken under the wing of the much older Murph.The movie basically is a series of scenes where they talk and discuss life in general. As they're picking up the trash in the park or driving down the road or painting a fence, they discuss the meaning of karma, love, betrayal, Murph's son dying of AIDS, all the things that make up a person's life.Ned Beatty is excellent in the role of Murph. I've seen him in dozens of movies, but I think I'll always remember him in this role as the character he plays fits him like a glove. He's an easygoing guy who's wise, caring and funny. By the end of the film, you feel you really know him, like he's a real person.Liev Schreiber plays Paul and he also does fine work in this film. Paul is angry at the world the first day he and Murph go out to work together, but he begins to mellow out as the days go by. He's much younger - mid twenties compared to Murph's early sixties - and he reads a lot of philosophy and discusses it with his friend. By the end, he's opened up a lot and isn't afraid to show his emotions or reach out to others.This film is everything you could possible ask for in an independent film. There's no expensive props or choreographed action scenes. It's simply two interesting people interacting with each other over the course of a couple of months and the way they affect each other's lives.