Deuces Wild (2002)

It's funny watching the elements come together in this complicated scam. On one hand, the set-up isn't quite as complex as it seems, but there's an easy sense of fun in every exchange.

It’s fine. It's literally the definition of a fine movie. You’ve seen it before, you know every beat and outcome before the characters even do. Only question is how much escapism you’re looking for.

The film's masterful storytelling did its job. The message was clear. No need to overdo.

One of the worst ways to make a cult movie is to set out to make a cult movie.

"In the sweltering summer of 1958, the Deuces, a gang of Brooklyn toughs, find their turf threatened when the leader of a rival gang, the Vipers, is released from prison. Leon (Stephen Dorff), the Deuces' leader, tries to guide his boys through bloody brawls to keep the Vipers out. But when his brother (Brad Renfro) falls into a sultry - and dangerous - relationship with Annie (Fairuza Balk), the sister of a Viper, and his own girlfriend is brutally attacked, Leon and his gang are plunged into an all-out war to save his brother, his girl - and his neighborhood!" according to the DVD sleeve description. This is definitely no "Basketball Diaries".Think of it as "West Side Story" getting hit over the head with baseball bats and steel pipes, stickball having left Brooklyn with the Dodgers. "Deuces Wild" has some cool Hollywood sets, 1950s cars and soundtrack songs; and, much of it is nicely photographed by John A. Alonzo. The story and direction never get beyond these strengths, which enables the film to peak during its opening minutes, and proceed downhill. The cast looks good when you read the credits, but translates into an ageing, flabby mess of phony pompadours, blood, and Brylcreem… and one fright wig. A sense of sadness and regret permeates the production.*** Deuces Wild (5/3/02) Scott Kalvert ~ Stephen Dorff, Brad Renfro, Fairuza Balk, Frankie Muniz

I seen this a few times. It is the new version of Outsiders. I am kind of ticked with people that come on here to do a review on a movie, and they don't even rate the movie with the votes. It is no point to be on this site if you don't even use it. Just because you say you give 1 or up to 10 out of 10 still does not count towards the movie rating. So learn how to give reviews for the ones that don't do it. You know who I am talking to. Not really much to say about this movie, because it is so close to being like outsiders. If you seen outsiders then there is not much here that you would see different. Gangs fighting and killing. Matt Dillon from outsiders is in this for very short time. I have to add more for this because it won't post. I already said this is not much different than outsiders.

What a great movie! Trying to catch the feeling of honor, loyalty, courage and brotherhood all in one film isn't the easiest thing to do. Yet, in my opinion, they succeeded very well. Feelings we all had to some extent when we were groing up. Above all, they also gave us a lovestory that wasn't cheesy or corny, but true and honest (and no, I'm not a girl nor gay...). Furthermore, there is this kind of 'cool' that slightly reminds me of Tarantino's reservoir dogs. Not the film, but the feeling you had. Off course, a lot less mature feeling of cool. But hey, it's there.Refreshing cinema, proving that it doesn't have to cost a lot of money to produce great films!

Premiere actors Stephen Dorf, Norman Reedus and Matt Dillon show you how it's done in Deuces Wild, a powerful, tragedy of gang-related, white-on-white crime. Dorf performs a role worthy of his mettle as the complex protagonist fighting to keep heroin out of the 'hood. Reedus, in flawless compliment, is evil incarnate as the determined drug-pusher. Dillon is deftly understated as the head thug in charge of them both. When this May 2002 film didn't walk off with an armful of Oscars next year (including best director and best picture), it was clear something was rotten in Denmark.