I am glad to say that 'Gin & Dry' accomplishes a lot in a short amount of time. The opening perfectly sets the tone for the next 15 mins with smooth looking colorful visuals and music that is age appropriate to the characters' nostalgia for their younger days. Even more impressive is how sincere the performances of the two leads are, like every good couple they contrast and compliment each other in all the best ways (both are nostalgic from being on this Earth for a long time but Albi's boyish energy stands out when he is onscreen with his more reserved wife). The conversations between the two are always tender, which the cinematography amplifies even more, and the actors do a great job at convincing you in seconds that the characters' love for each other has lasted a long time.
While what I mentioned above is the heart of the film, it's the booze heist that makes up a great bulk of the narrative. Nursing homes are often seen as the most mundane places you can be in, especially by those who live in them, but the film uses that to it's advantage by giving the Abi and the other characters strong personalities that stand out. Blending a heartfelt narrative with humor is often a difficult task but 'Gin & Dry' manages to do so with ease. We can all relate to wanting to get hammered for the holidays so it's very easy to sympathize with the characters' endeavors even when they tie up poor Adam, who lets face it is an accurate representation of how even well meaning young people are often oblivious to the experiences of the elderly. The image of Adam getting tied up at the mercy of the elderly characters had me bursting out laughing and captures what I love about the DP's work from the camera movements and angles to the staging, the bonkers dash/struggle to the stash was also a particular highlight.
However, despite my strong enjoyment, I would still say the middle of this film is the weakest part especially when compared to the beginning and ending. I understand that comedy is not the sole genre of 'Gin & Dry' but I still feel that more could have done when it came to the residents bouncing off each other as that would have kept the flow of scene changes more engaging and would'e better utilized the strong personalities that were onscreen. Also, I felt the delivery of the Ranjeet's lines could have been better, I understand that as the most erratic of the ensemble he's meant to ramble in his speech but there were times where I missed what he was saying which is a shame because I really enjoyed his character.
Regardless of this, the film's pacing is done really well and the build up in the finale is amazing. From Albi's compassionate acts to his fellow residents and him putting Adam in his place to that final conversation, 'Gin & Dry' went from just a good film to a great one. I pride myself on being very savy whenever I'm watching something so when I found out that I was wrong (my theory from the start was that Albi was Alzheimer's because his wife was asking him to tell her things that they should both already know and he kept on stumbling when telling the story) it was a great surprise. I did not see it coming at all, the fact that not only was Albi's wife never there but also he has the same conversation with her in his head and is adamant throughout the narrative about not being disturbed [perfectly conveys 'Gin & Dry's heartfelt themes about aging, loss and enjoying your final days as much as possible - A message which still remains on my mind even an hour after watching the film.
While what I mentioned above is the heart of the film, it's the booze heist that makes up a great bulk of the narrative. Nursing homes are often seen as the most mundane places you can be in, especially by those who live in them, but the film uses that to it's advantage by giving the Abi and the other characters strong personalities that stand out. Blending a heartfelt narrative with humor is often a difficult task but 'Gin & Dry' manages to do so with ease. We can all relate to wanting to get hammered for the holidays so it's very easy to sympathize with the characters' endeavors even when they tie up poor Adam, who lets face it is an accurate representation of how even well meaning young people are often oblivious to the experiences of the elderly. The image of Adam getting tied up at the mercy of the elderly characters had me bursting out laughing and captures what I love about the DP's work from the camera movements and angles to the staging, the bonkers dash/struggle to the stash was also a particular highlight.
However, despite my strong enjoyment, I would still say the middle of this film is the weakest part especially when compared to the beginning and ending. I understand that comedy is not the sole genre of 'Gin & Dry' but I still feel that more could have done when it came to the residents bouncing off each other as that would have kept the flow of scene changes more engaging and would'e better utilized the strong personalities that were onscreen. Also, I felt the delivery of the Ranjeet's lines could have been better, I understand that as the most erratic of the ensemble he's meant to ramble in his speech but there were times where I missed what he was saying which is a shame because I really enjoyed his character.
Regardless of this, the film's pacing is done really well and the build up in the finale is amazing. From Albi's compassionate acts to his fellow residents and him putting Adam in his place to that final conversation, 'Gin & Dry' went from just a good film to a great one. I pride myself on being very savy whenever I'm watching something so when I found out that I was wrong (my theory from the start was that Albi was Alzheimer's because his wife was asking him to tell her things that they should both already know and he kept on stumbling when telling the story) it was a great surprise. I did not see it coming at all, the fact that not only was Albi's wife never there but also he has the same conversation with her in his head and is adamant throughout the narrative about not being disturbed [perfectly conveys 'Gin & Dry's heartfelt themes about aging, loss and enjoying your final days as much as possible - A message which still remains on my mind even an hour after watching the film.