LFF 2012 - Grassroots

Based on a true story, Grassroots depicts the remarkable path of a man who fought to defy all the odds and change the city he lives in and so dearly loves.

Seattle, 2001. Journalist Phil Campbell (Jason Biggs) has been fired from his job and his current living conditions remain far from ideal. Living with his girlfriend Emily (Lauren Ambrose) should be a step forward in his life but instead they share their living quarters with other people like students in order to save money, something Emily is getting slowly frustrated with. Needless to say, the loss of his job hasn't helped matters.

Enter his buddy Grant (Joel David Moore), an unemployed music critic with a vision that may well change both of their lives. An outspoken and passionate individual, Grant, who bizarrely enjoys dressing up as a polar bear, is insistent that this is the year for him to step up and run for council. Facing current incumbent Richard McIver (Cedric the Entertainer), he recruits Phil as his campaign manager and outlines his passion.

Seeking an end to the abundant traffic chaos and endless automobile links tarnishing the city he cares about, Grant's idea of a regenerated and expansive monorail system soon begins to win over the people, despite his unrestrained manner. As his campaign appears to be on the right track, disaster hits as the staggering events of 9/11 take effect on the people of America. Initially devastated, he soon comes to realise spirit and belief amongst the people is essential and he sets out to inspire and win the election.

Any film with the names Jason Biggs and Cedric the Entertainer attached are bound to send echoes of skepticism through to viewers, but in truth Grassroots manages to hold its own with the majority of the cast excelling. Based on true events, the film is quick to get the comedic swearing and frustrated tirades from Moore's Grant out of its system and slowly matures into a serious and passionate film surrounding politics and community.

In both Moore and Biggs, actors notable for their comedies, come very different performances than we are accustomed to. Standout from the rest of the crowd, Moore portrays a passionate and unflinching man with great poise and holds back very little, something that, as an audience, gives us more reason to back the character. Grant's speeches may be often filled with swearing and his passion overstated, but in Moore's conviction comes a performance that at times drives the movie forward.

Co-stars Biggs and Cedric the Entertainer also provide somewhat of a shock value in playing it more-or-less straight as events take a turn for the serious side. Both maintaining a real life edge to their characters, the two comedy stars shine when sharing scenes and are equally as effective when tasked with delivering at key moments singularly. Of all the acts involved, it is Cobey Smoulders who appears the most redundant. Featured rarely in the film, Smoulders takes up little more than five to ten minutes in a role that could have easily been filled with a unnamed actress and gone unnoticed, something that is rather questionable when viewing.

In essence, Grassroots is a film focusing on community. One man's goal to improve upon his native city is enough to bring together people and through director Stephen Gyllenhaal's expertly shot feature we are given not only a sense of how important the location is to the characters but also a first-hand reminder of the surroundings in which the events are unfolding. Not only is community represented through the city of Seattle but also through the tragedy of 9/11.

Boldly tackling the events of 9/11 as part of the narrative, Gyllenhaal gives the film more meaning and heart in showing how such an event simply brings people closer together. Cleverly removing unnecessary humour in favour of a more straight-edged approach, the director presents a truly remarkable tale of real life people and gives the audience a person we want to succeed.

By no means a perfect film, Grassroots does bring to screen a likable pairing in Jason Biggs and Joel David Moore, with the latter proving that he can pack a punch in producing pure emotion into his role. Funny when it needs to be and really hard hitting emotionally, Stephen Gyllenhaal's film sums up the theme of community succinctly and gives us yet another fascinating true story brought to life.