Ned Beatty and Liev Schreiber are masterful as mismatched workmates who are different enough to connect on very basic levels. This is not a film for the action-faction; it's more like dramatic theater. It's an excellent film for both aspiring actors and those who like to see good acting, as Schreiber and Beatty struggle successfully to stay in the zone between methodical understatement and emotive overacting. Schreiber's smoldering working-class anger and Beatty's "go along-to get along" resignation creates a sparkling tension out of which grows a deep friendship. For anyone who's worked on the downside of the class divide the dialogue is spot on and the characters are recognizable. This film proves that it's still possible to make a quality film out of an "uplifting" story. A little bit of "The Straight Story" without the sap.
Review of Spring Forward
