Movie #1706 " THE Grounds" was the third film I saw in the Phoenix Film Festival, and it was a winner. I was sitting next to the writer's mom, so it's a good thing I liked it and didn't groan through it. hah! Anyway, it's about a loser guy you've come across before --- gets drunk every night, smokes weed and parties incessantly, can't keep a job (opening, he's passed out on a golf course in his underwear, and he's the groundskeeper for it so he gets fired on the spot!) --- a directionless guy with average good looks but thinks he is so much better when meeting women. He gets interviewed by this pretty blonde( he hits on in the interview!) to be a groundskeeper for this rich estate and surprise! He gets the job (well, after scaring others away). All he is not supposed to do is talk to the owner (who doesn't leave the place nor talk to anyone). I think I'll stop there and yes, with only that info, it could be a comedy or a tragedy, but I can tell you it becomes funny --(I say "becomes" funny because to me, this guy's loser qualities are not funny, but he becomes a bit more endearing as the film goes on) By the end, it has become a poignant journey these two men go on, and I thought that was pretty tough to mix the comedy with the poignancy so I gave it 4 stars out of 4. I learned from the writer's mom that the idea for the film came from a stay in Pasadena at this particular house, and the story developed from there --- it is one beautiful estate! and fun to watch them use the location. I recommend it if it gets released.
P.S. Of the 5 movies I saw at the film festival this year, the actors here have the most credits on IMDB --- and the lead guy here (the loser) is from Chicago -- I thought he looked familiar. I've seen him in some Sundance movies -- he's won some awards. The other one (the rich guy) is on Station 19 right now. So this might be bought by netflix. I wouldn't be surprised.
" THE GROUNDS" 1 HOUR 28 mins 2018
Alcoholic Calvin cons his way into a job tending the grounds of a hillside mansion owned by the reclusive Jack. On the night Calvin stumbles into a bathroom to see Jack with a gun to his head, an unlikely friendship is born.
Director: Peter O'Melia
Stars: Michael Welch, Trevor Morgan, Ashley Hinshaw
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