Gridlock'd falls between good and okay, but veering more towards good. It's a fun time movie, and one I like a lot, with scenes that all too depressingly real about two no hopers trying to kick theur habit, with kicking in the new year, after their roomy Cookie (Thandie Newton) o'ds where there's a possibility that she may not come back. This impels Shakur to wisen up, where he and mate Spoon (Roth, again just what we expect from this impressive actor) are given the runaround while trying to get clean, waiting in line, going to office to office, dealing with rude assistants, while getting pretty hacked off themselves. Roth letting his lips flap with many an F word, was funny. Shakur who was one of those rapper/actor revelations, especially after seeing him in Bullet, and Roth made an interesting buddy team, where there was really great chemistry between the actors. Some other performances are noteworthy in bit parts. Their day gets worth when two thugs, who are ripped off by Shakur and company return, guns blazing, not happy with their non purchase of a stereo radio, veiled in a cardboard box (should of checked) where inside are bricks. There are a few side splitting and classically memorable moments, that were implanted my head, none more that stabbing scene. There's a real smartness to the film that has a real laid back feel, not really reliant on plot, just driven by the frightening and worrying catalyst at the start, where what follows is an all true realism of situations and hapless circumstances with our two character mains trying to achieve their goal, and continuing to come up against a brick wall. The movie has those admiring qualities going for it, only I just feel that wasn't enough to maintain good quality status. Stay for the song Traffic Jam, that comes after a sudden ending. I was enjoying the movie that much, as well as watching Newton slip back into her knickers and clothes.
