Solid Ones

Running time: N/A

Frank has just broken up but just can't seem to let go. Neil's hiding something. Joey is a slacker. They have a plan to escape the town they've outgrown--rip-off the local gambling ring and make haste to the big city. So, donning some old sweat suits left over from their parents' youth as masks and their less-than-aggressive attitudes, they execute the "heist of the century." Unfortunately, it ends up being the local seniors' bingo tournament, and they score only $512. To make matters worse, their car breaks down during their getaway, the cops are on their tail, they take two hostages (who are just as engaging as our trio) and the couple's '76 El Dorado, and instead of finding themselves on the way to someplace new, they are caught in that nether region between somewhere and nowhere. It is here that each must find his own path. Solid Ones marks the directorial debut for Brent Florence, an exciting new talent to emerge from The Artists' Colony, a joint venture from Lloyd Silverman (producer, Snow Falling on Cedars) and former Miramax president, Ian Jessel. The Artists' Colony's adventurous projects include Raul Ruiz's Shattered Image, Scott Hicks' Snow Falling on Cedars, and Marek Kanievska's Till the End of Time. Foregoing the path of Quentin Tarantino wannabes, Solid Ones adds an original voice to the short list of directors to watch. It is a rare find with a smart sense of humor, and Brent Florence impressively crafts an emotional journey about hope, love, and a little bit of car trouble. --Mike Rabehl