User reviews

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.

Murph and Paul seem to be the least likely candidates of this beautiful tale of male bonding and friendship that director Tom Gilroy, working with his original material, brought to the screen with excellent results.

The director couldn't have been luckier in the choice he made in casting Ned Beatty and Liev Schrieber to give life to these two opposite characters, that deep down share a lot in common. We see the men as they begin working together, in a way distrusting one another, but soon realizing their relationship at work translates in everlasting friendship.

Mr. Gilroy gets nuanced performances out of the two leading actors that seem to compliment one another in ways that perhaps, even the director, didn't expect. Mr. Beatty and Mr. Schreiber are actors that look and act totally convincing in the roles they are playing. In minor parts we see Campbell Scott, Ian Hart and Peri Gilpin, among others doing excellent work under Tom Gilroy's sure direction.

Mr. Gilroy has to be congratulated for giving us a story that is unusual and it affirms our faith in humanity.

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

This is a movie that touches you deeply. It also is a reminder we've only scratched the surface when it comes to telling positive stories on film. The blockbuster mentality buries so much good and meaningful material. I doubt if this film made money but may it run forever on video, DVD or whatever the next conveyance might be. Ned Beatty and Liev Schreiber are both brilliant in this delightful story.

This film is a play. A play made out of 7 Acts. Act 1 has our 2 protagonists, Murph and Paul with the yuppie, played by Campbell Scott. Act 2 with the homeless Fran, played by Ian Hart. Act 3 with the single and lonely(in spite of her puppies) Georgia, played by Peri Gilpin. Act 4 with Bobby, the podgy boy who wants to paint or "play tennis"! Act 5(my favourite), Murph and Paul by themselves, in the park, in Autumn. Act 6 is at Murph's son Bobby's funeral, with Murph's neighbour. Act 7(a) is at the roadside with the suicidal woman and her daughter. Act 7(b) is the summation...the finale, the end of the year and of Paul and Murph's relationship as colleagues, not friends. These 7 Acts are even divided by little interludes of sorts. Accompanied by lilting guitar strains, they show the passing of the seasons and ordinary people of all ages - children running through a maze of hay, a woman hanging wet clothes on a line...seconds encapsulated and bequeathed with a beauty that transcends ordinariness...making them timeless and eternal.

This film sort of expands what Wordsworth called "the still sad music of humanity". Here are 2 ordinary men - Murph and Paul. The former is middle-aged, worried for his son Bobby who's dying, wondering were he, as a father went wrong. Paul has a gnawing feeling that after his brush with the law, he's been given a second chance and it is upon him to stay out of trouble. At the onset they seem as the unlikeliest of people to strike a bond. But, as another viewer over here commented, they both fill a void in each other's life, a void they didn't know existed. The acting of both Ned Beatty and Liev Schrieber is absolutely commendable. Being a basically verbose film, with the kind of naturalism that it has, it really called in for some concentrated performances. Both Beatty and Schrieber are excellent! The only actor I knew at the beginning of this film was Campbell Scott. And even in the 5-10 minutes that he's there on screen, he does complete justice to his character, which in itself is very true-to-life. He's a likeable yuppie who out of all his sincerity believes that if money can make things simpler and spare him the hardwork and the headache, why not use it? He errs in wearing his status too much on his sleeve and in not keeping his word after promising it.

Tom Gilroy deserves great credit for writing such realistic characters and basically having the courage to make a film that has no apparent plot, just wisdom...and a whole load of it at that! The dialogue, the acting, the cinematography...everything is a treat to watch. Hope to find more gems like this one again!

Spring Forward is the story of a friendship between two men who work together as lanscapers and maintenance men for a small city. Liev Schrieber is the well-read, ex-convict Paul who is trying to get back on his feet. Ned Beatty is Murph, a family man who's probably in his fifties. There's a generational gap, but the men seem to share quite an interesting friendship.

The movie, however, is just so real that it becomes quite boring. The story takes us through the seasons and it is about 99% dialogue and 1% action if you consider landscaping work and the aftermath of a funeral action. The men engage in such deep conversation about all sorts of things like their different perspectives on religion, on morals, on sex, on fatherhood, and so forth. I don't think that it is totally uninteresting and I think it was material better suited to a novel than a film. Nothing really happens and the conversations, after awhile, seem endlessly strung together, as though the topics just change by chance, but the talking never stops. I really must say though, the cinemtagraphy was beautiful with such rich colors and all that.

I'm surprised to see so many positive reviews, but then again, this might epitomized recent independent films as much as it can be, though (and I agree with one viewer who wrote this), the whole thing does seem rather pretentious. Sure, these guys have these deep thoughts on all of these abstract matters. But then what?

That's not to say that Leiv Schreiber and Ned Beatty don't give good performances. The material and the story just become so boring after a while, by that final scene as they drive down the snowy roads, you think something just then might happen that somehow reflects upon the friendship. Only, nothing ever does. It was boring like I found 'Chelsea Hotel' to be boring, although this movie at least brings up some interesting philosophies that the characters mull over, whereas in 'Chelsea Hotel,' no one even gives us that much to consider and entertain us. I still think 'Spring Forward' would have been better material for a novel.

Spring Forward is the kind of stripped-down and simplified independent arthouse film that I would have called boring years ago. There is almost nothing happening in the film, and it is made up entirely of 2 coworkers talking and occasionally interacting with other people. As I've matured, and been exposed to more contemplative films like this one, I have learned to enjoy when they find a way to connect with me. I think the exploration that Spring Forward makes into the way relationships are built (particularly among coworkers) is totally relatable. Seeing these two men bond with one another, share their inner thoughts, and even go through difficult times, is touching and emotional. I thought most of the stops they made as the movie bounces forward in time were important, and built up the characters and their friendship.

It would be tough to find a more unusual pairing of actors than Ned Beatty and Liev Schreiber, but they did excellent work with these characters. You could actually see in their performance how the bond was growing closer over time, and I think they both understood the script and what Tom Gilroy was trying to do with it. I have said before that a film always goes up a few notches in my estimation if it hits me on an emotional level that leads to tears. Let's just say, Spring Forward had a moment that had several tears streaming down my cheeks. Even though it's a very simple and straightforward story, it pulled me in and had me invested in the lives of these two men. I don't know if Spring Forward is the type of film that I would watch again (and I know many people would react as I would have years ago and call it boring,) but it is a well-made character piece that worked for me.

"Spring Forward" has the same limited resources as most indie films but applies them intelligently for maximum effect. The story, a simple male bonding tale about a couple of Parks Dept maintenance men, leapfrogs through the New England seasons as the all-conversation male musings and reflections take the entire run fleshing out the characters so well we'd like to have them to dinner by film's end. Those looking for escapist entertainment should pass on this flick. However, those interested in a character-driven film about what it is to be male shouldn't miss it. Kudos! (B+)

A rare delight for those of us who watch a movie more for the acting techniques than for the explosions and bikini babes. Beatty and Schrieber portray two city workers who muse about their lives during their day to day working relationship. Nothing really major happens. No plot twists abound. No great arc of transference happens in the plot, just a gentle "getting to know you" feeling develops as the viewer gets drawn into the story very gently. I've seen lots of movies and I must say this is one where I couldn't predict what would happen next because it defies Hollywood traditions by choosing the natural moments in life to focus on rather than the supernatural. It's a small gem for those that prefer their movies to be more introspective than most

The incomparable Ned Beatty shines so brightly in this soft and simple on the surface buddy film that gets deeper and more meaningfully philosophical as the continued shared conversation about all aspects of life changes each man for the better. Kind of like a blue collar version of the '80's film, My Dinner With Andre.

The story was set in a city park where both men worked in park maintenance jobs, and their progressively more personal conversations while they worked(or sat around goofing off)helped them gain more and more trust in each other over time. All the work-related fence painting, leaf blowing, planting and other simple duties they did demonstrated well that what we all do in life is mostly the same small maintenance things over and over no matter how we might glorify or belittle them. That's most of life.....basic routine. And we are better off for it as it tends to "set us straight" and keep us on track, a point the film clearly intended to make.

Liv Schreiber was excellent as the ex-con workmate so very curious and perplexed about what makes life and people tick, and conveyed well an interesting and informed blue collar philosophy along with an almost desperate sincerity to find a way to set and keep his life straight after a criminal mistake sidetracked him and caused him to be distrustful of others and society in general. Ned's character had some tortured soul problems too as, for example, he had a son die from AIDs and he was still confused and very hurt that the good friends who knew his nice son as he grew up forgot that friendship and turned on him when they found he was gay.

In a climactic scene with a desperate young mother late in the film, a point was emphasized that we all can get very unrealistic and maybe even crazy at times about the importance of the unfortunate things that happen in our lives, but there is nothing better than human caring and benevolence to help us try to set it right. Jesus, Buddha and Mohammed would surely agree.

Spring Forward is the perfect title for filmmaker and writer Tom Gilroy's sincere film, as both men in this soul-nourishing story did spring forward as a result of their growing companionship and sharing and were ultimately better men for it. We should all be so lucky in life. And, all who see this film will be lucky that they saw it.

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.

This movie I guess has its heart in the right place but it's not well written, and the actors enjoy acting in it too much. The performances are pretty self-conscious, but then the writing's so self-conscious. No scene is of any especial consequence, and some of them--the penultimate scene, for instance--are downright ridiculous, a frantic attempt at some last minute payoff. On the up side Ned Beatty has a lot of energy and seemed to do the role as best as it could be done. I guess it's my own fault for watching past the first scene, which loudly hints that the movie will be a road to nowhere. Even if it does have good intentions, it's pretty manipulative, and not even all that successfully.

Liev Schreiber and Ned Beatty are two of the most under-rated actors in the business. Both perform brilliantly together on screen. Without them, this movie has its innocent beauty in the color green and the simple shots of everyday life in this small town of Connecticut. Beatty proves himself again to be one of America's best actors. Never making the big bucks like most of your "Top 40" stars in Hollywood, Beatty brings a classic tone to the movie that very few actors can do. Schreiber too, is one of the better actors of the new generation. The two of them together echo what good actors should be. A touching, simple, yet brilliant movie that deserves a large audience. Check it out!

I had the pleasure of seeing Spring Forward at the Melbourne Film Festival (one of the three oldest in the world) and found it a welcome change of pace from Hollywood fare. Despite taking us on a journey through the four seasons (from Spring forward) in under two hours, it never hurries, choosing instead to meander through the simple lives of two simple men to show us just how complicated the most simple of lives can be. Ned Beatty is as fabulous as his best performances in Homicide while Leiv Schrieber delivers a performance of subtle depth.

I have to confess I have a penchant for indie films. That said, this subtle and well written work gives the time and space for each character to develop, breathe and grow. Its choice of subjects, two male grounds workers in a small town in America, could easily have swung this delicate work into the pedantic or predictable. Too many times in the land of Indie the working class subject is fetishized or romanticized, or, worse yet, neglected and bypassed. Not here. By giving the characters real depth through well written dialogue, we see them grow, and in turn, grow with them as the seasons change. The everyday is transformed through excellent pacing, and we are given a chance to see what time can produce. Real human relations.

Yes, a slow movie with wonderful talent but the potential for introspective inner growth on a personal level is worth watching the film. This is not a super hero film offering a mindless reason to watch.

If you read about a movie before you watch it, then you already have some idea of what it's about. So if you don't want to see what is basically a play, set outdoors, then don't watch this one. But if you do, and you're a thoughtful guy, you will probably love this one.

I say "guy," because the main characters are guys, and the stuff they talk about is "guy stuff." Although, if you are a gal, and have a strong appreciation for a dialogue-based film, you may still enjoy it. A couple of female characters make brief appearances.

In this play, the parks are the sets, and the seasons are the borders of each act. How often do you see a film about ordinary people, living ordinary lives? That trend was more common in the 70s.

It takes genuine talent to make the ordinary interesting, and these writers, directors, and performers nail this one. I've been a city landscaper, working with a partner, and this is exactly what is was like. We worked, but we had great conversations throughout the day.

Although I'm conservative, watching this one really made me wish I could be a public employee again, with no heavy supervision, no quotas, and no pressure. Top that off with working outdoors, and I would be in heaven.

Since these guys didn't have to worry about the normal pressures of private sector work, or even the stultifying routine of working at the DMV, etc., they were able to spend their days musing about the meaning of life, while casually painting a fence or raking some leaves.

Ned Beatty's character has figured out how to get through life without major hassles. He doesn't complain much, or sweat the little things. He has a little life and he knows it, but he seems to be o.k. with it, save one major regret regarding his son.

The Liev Schriber character, being much younger, is a seeker. He's reading books and developing his philosophy of life. You get to watch him grow and mature during the course of a year, working alongside a father figure.

The best scene in the film comes at the beginning and involves a brief appearance by little known actor Campbell Scott, the son of screen legend George C. Scott. He plays his character to such perfection in this brief scene, that it wets your appetite for the rest of the film.

Watch it if you're a deep thinker and you don't mind a couple of minor Left Wing references, about Gays in the Scouts, and class warfare.

Other reviews that correctly rate this film a 10 have said most of what I say, so I won't be redundant with my review. I'd like to simply add that Spring Forward is perfect. I don't understand comments about the film being 'slow' or 'boring', or other complaints, other than just having different tastes for story or different preferences for entertainment - different expectations for 'movies'.

This is a wonderful, beautiful, realistic, naturalistic and thoughtful film, which also avoids being maudlin, preachy or simplistic. Every piece fits into a beautiful whole. It's wonderful to be able enjoy such a complete and attentive creation without a sense of contrivance or authorial intrusion. This is NOT an easy achievement. And, it rewards in so many ways. Thank you to everyone involved. Please enjoy.

I've rarely seen such a boring, pretentious film with so little to offer. It's so unimaginative and uninteresting that I felt like I'd gone senile by the end. The dialogue is repetitive and insultingly bad. Never seen Ned Beatty more stiff and fake, it was sad to see.

SPRING FORWARD (2000) ***1/2 Ned Beatty, Leiv Schreiber, Campbell Scott, Peri Gilpin, Ian Hart, Bill Raymond, Catherine Kellner. Excellent acting displayed by Beatty and Schreiber as parks department co-workers who bond together in a father/son capacity during the course of one life-changing year with fine turns by both an accomplished veteran character actor and a younger, promising one, respectively. Has the soul of a short story come to life that takes its sweet time to unfurl with more-than-meets-the eye shadings of its subjects. A real sleeper gem of independent filmmaking by first time writer/director Tom Gilroy.

Wow, what a delight after many, many years finding this pop up on Hulu recently. I vaguely remembered seeing this film back in the mid 2000s, hung over and depressed one morning as a young alcoholic. This movie was really a beacon of light, that it's never too late to try to start over, and that if my life amounted to simple living, that I didn't need to be a "mega success" to be a success. I'm not sure I could do this film justice, trying to describe it, but my hope is that people will continue to discover this little gem throughout the years and maybe give it some semblance of appreciation. While most of this was filmed in Jersey, it still passes for parts of Connecticut. I also liked the random scenes that would represent the passing of time and the changing seasons. The pacing is perfect, an excellent representation of how we need sometimes slow down and absorb the moments. Trade excitement for serenity. Again a very simple movie but wonderfully done. Props to both Ned and Liev. Bravo. This one truly deserves a 10 considering it's budget and what they made here. Probably in my top 20 movies all time.

"Spring Forward" is one of the best American films of 2000, with a paltry, unworthy distribution--it is a prime example of studio marketing as an antagonistic force against moviegoers.

The film is warm, simple, and unpretentious, which reminded me of the like-spirited "You Can Count on Me" by Kenneth Lonergan. Its strengths are in the conversations between the characters of Liev Schreiber and Ned Beatty, recalling the magic of Louie Malle's "My Dinner With Andre"--the movie brims with character, substance, and emotion, rather than easy formulas.

In one of the final scenes, Paul is finally presented with a challenge for dramatic action, saving the life of a distraught woman with his words. When she asks him how he got so wise, he doesn't know how to answer--but we've seen how. His simple experiences of humanity and empathy have given him something, and it's an epiphany for the audience that few other recent films can match: A considered life is beautiful, no matter who you are.

'Spring Forward' is one of those films that the masses will never see and thats a shame because it is rare that such a fine movie can still be made in this day and age and everyone should have the opportunity to see it. Essentially, 'Spring Forward' is a two man play filmed mostly outdoors over the course of one year in Ridgefield, Connecticut. Basically it is about two men working a common job and becoming close friends over the course of that year. The veteran character actor, Ned Beatty is brilliant as an older worker nearing retirement and usually type- casted villain, Liev Schreiber is a young man with a checkered past training to be Beattys replacement. It is fascinating to watch these two men open up to each other and express their darkest fears. Beatty becomes the father figure Schreiber never had and Schreiber allows Beatty one more chance to be the father figure he always wanted to be. Character study films are rare but those with two really riveting characters are seldom seen. The performances are fantastic and this is the kind of film that will touch you and not allow you to let go.'Spring Forward' deserves a larger audience then the lucky people who venture to the local art theater in their area smart enough to show this wonderful film

I was very impressed. Excellent acting. Excellent writing. A very moving and inspirational piece. For me, this is what a true film should be- just a great message with a fantastic delivery! No special effects needed! No Hollywood hoopla!! Just an honest story with a good message. 'One of misery, frustration, honest love and hope. A very fine film. I would have liked to see a little more detail on the relationship to develop with Liev's pet dog and his new girlfriend. But it was fine without it too. I especially liked the scene in the woods at the beginning of the film where Liev was going to quit his new job after only 3 hours...... due to his anger and his inability to express himself appropriately. When he broke down and wept beside the tree with Ned Beatty....... that was too real. I really felt his anguish, his misery. I could actually feel his hot tears run down my cheeks too. I have felt like that before........... a real masterpiece of acting and directing.

Well, I guess if one feels that if nothing blows up, and no one is killed, that "nothing happens" in this movie, then one would be correct. However, if you want to see one of the great actors of the last 30 years (Ned Beatty) and an up and coming insanely great actor (Lieb Schriver) just have normal interactions, that are still riveting, for they are so real, then this is the movie for you. Just watching these two guys interact is wonderful. And the puppies are really cute (not to mention Lieb Schriver). Sorry if I spelled his name incorrectly. In any event, this is one of the few DVDs I have bought. This and Napolean Dynamite, which might give you an idea of how widespread my tastes are! But heck..to each his own, right? I think this is a terrific website, too!