Grassroots

It's not a huge budget movie, and that often bugs me - but the story is based on real events and I cared about the characters.

I'm very surprised that the current rating for this movie is only 4.9. I wrote this review because I think the movie is definitely worth more than that. I think this movie is worth your time.

I suspect that some of the low ratings come from those who don't like the grassroots politics ideas behind the movie, and the idea that even the poor deserve decent transit.

All this being said, I'm not sure I like elevated transit systems, although using electricity is preferable to diesel buses.

I went to this movie thinking that it was going to see a serious political statement movie, but instead it was a really funny political comedy. I laugh my butt off. Jason Biggs and David Joel Moore are really really funny together. Im voting to see more movies with those two characters. Plus its a very interesting topic!! The casting all around was excellent. Cedric just rocked the house!! This movie was shot in Seattle, and they were able to capture the beauty and the root of what this town is all about. Go see it, its heart warming, funny and nevertheless provides an important message. The meaning of what Grassroots is all about, is delivered in this movie.

One weakness of this film is that it lacks any enticement to draw you in to watch it. If the viewer gives it a chance, there is a modest amount of entertainment to be found, but don't expect to be blown away by its brilliance.

The direction is weak, and shows little intent about why this story is being told. It's based on an actual city council campaign from a few years ago in Seattle (using the real names of the people), where an unknown challenges to unseat the incumbent with nothing but grassroots support. The film does not offer much reason to make anyone care about the characters. It paints them as childish and brash; the kind of losers that would be thrown out of a frat party for being too weird. The real people that the film is about were either pathetic, or the director has woefully overstated their negative traits. Not a good approach, even in a comedy.

The acting is up to par, considering what the cast is given to work with. All too often, the director has them shouting f-bombs, apparently in the name of humor. The ending is glaringly predictable as to what the outcome will be, for the election result, as well as the side plots.

Still, with all the directorial boo-boo's, the movie manages some elements of the whole "underdog makes an impact" routine. Taken at face value, it makes for mild entertainment.