Description

Alex Andero (Michael Parducci), a testosterone-driven dreamer who works in his family owned Greenwich Village cafi, fantasizes about making it big as a Hollywood screenwriter. Alex spends his evenings at a screenwriting class but feels he is making little progress when the only classmate who seems enthusiastic about his script treatment is the shy, self-effacing Gwen (Judy Prescott), whose interest in his work may have more to do with her growing crush on him. Alex finally gets his "big break" when his uncle sets him up with a shot at writing for a major square-jawed action star, Jagger Stevens (Hoyt Richards). The only problem is he needs writing samples, and if there is one thing that he has quickly ascertained from his screenwriting class - it's that he can't write.

Alex, at the end of his rope, finds his solution in Elliot Springer (Peter Jacobson) a brilliant but uptight, gay Jewish playwright who is as chronically honest as he is socially inept. Although completely opposed to the idea or collaborating on a script he considers to be nothing more than fluff, Elliot succumbs when he realizes that Alex can help him get the one thing he wants most, a date with Joey ("Dawson's Creek" 's Kerr Smith), the cute struggling actor who works for Alex at the cafi.

While their two universes collide in a cramped New York City apartment as they battle it out over plot lines, sexuality, artistic integrity and a looming deadline, Alex and Elliot learn more about themselves than either had bargained for. Will the screenplay survive their growing friendship and will the friendship survive their screenplay?"Hit and Runway", an "odd couple" comedy that proves that in art, as well as in life, you never know where your big inspiration will come from, is a semi-autobiographical story written by long-time writing partners Christopher Livingston and Jaffe Cohen and directed by Livingston. "Hit and Runway" received the award for "Best Screenplay" at both the 1999 Los Angeles Independent Film Festival and the US Comedy Arts Festival in Aspen. ... Read more

Reviews (10)

Why Can't Hollywood Do Films Like This??
No, really..... why can't "Hollywood" make films of this caliber? This is just like, My Big Fat Greek Wedding, in terms of being a great film that relies on story, plot & acting to carry the film, not big name stars or big time special effects. I loved the movie and laughed all the way through. I only wish more people had had a chance to see it.

Hit and Runway
This is such a wonderful movie. It is too bad more people did not get a chance to see it. It was a smart, funny film. The writing is excellent and the characters are so engaging.

Actually loved it!!!
I was in Blockbuster one evening perusing the previously viewed dvd section of the store. I came across this film, picked it up, put it back down and picked it up again. I don't know what compelled me to buy it since every instinct I had told me it would probably stink. And, I had a reputation to uphold of only watching cutting edge foreign and art house films. But, I must admit to really enjoying this exceptionally sweet story. It's enormously entertaining. Try it, you may just like it!

Please see this film!
A wonderful little film -- well-written and (for the most part) well-acted. I won't recount the plotline since many other reviewers have done so, but there are some terrific scenes and great laughs in this gem.

It's hard to pick out some of my favorite scenes and write about them because they will give away key elements of the movie, but suffice it to say that a seduction scene involving Yiddish being spoken is genuinely clever, funny, and will remain on my top 20 list for originality in the years to come.

Like many smaller films, there are no well-known names here which of course doesn't always equate to lack of acting talent. (In fact I think we all know of at LEAST one or two highly-paid personalities who exhibit little or no acting ability!) Peter Jacobson (Elliott) in particular deserves recognition. He could have gone way over the top with his role as a gay Jewish writer with low self-esteem and high libido, but he manages to bring his character down to earth at just the right moments.

All in all a memorable film that deserves to be seen. Support indie films and see/rent/buy this!

A Surprisingly Sweet and Touching Comedy
What starts out on the level of "Kiss Me Guido" or "Just One Time" dares to actually go one level deeper. If Woody Alan would ever get in touch with his feminine side, he could have written this screenplay.

For film industry people, the plot, and its devices, requires a certain amount of suspension of disbelief at times (or at least the ability to close one eye occasionally), but the little surprises, twists and arcs will touch even the most jaded amongst us.

Very commendable performances by both Michael Parducci and Peter Jacobson.

Long live the indi film industry! ... Read more

Amazon.com

Twenty-two-year-old Salvatore Stabile gave new meaning to guerrilla filmmaking when he shot this gritty slice of life in his Brooklyn neighborhood for $5,000.He proves that all it takes is a vibrant imagination and a taut story to maintain our interest. His edgy drama unfolds in one night, as four young men watch their lives spin out of control with a violent force they cannot control. The cast, unknowns all, are not up to his skillful writing or edgy, claustrophobic direction. Stabile emulates Quentin Tarantino a bit too much, but one expects that with a real budget and more experience under his belt, he will be one hell of a filmmaker.--Rochelle O'Gorman ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Little Richard would agree...
This was a movie definitely worth it.However (here's where the Little Richard thing comes in) it's basically JUST A RIPOFF OF OMAR EPPS/TUPAC'S "JUICE",USING WHITE GUYS.

Gritty and disturbing urban drama
Gravesend is certainly a fine example of what a talented director can accomplish with a micro budget and a well written screenplay. The editor's review says this film was produced with $5,000 - Blair Witch Project was done with $25,000 more - and in every way Gravesend is superior. From acting to story to direction. *This* is what should have been released nationally in theaters.

The film spans one saturday night and is narrated from time to time by a friend of the four people the film revolves around. "I was glad I wasn't with them that night.." he comments - and he is not exaggerating. An accident in the midst of a fight sends our four "heroes" on a desperate, and inherently flawed, scheme to cover up a death and evade police involvement. The film follows their collision course for tragedy as they scramble to accumulate enough money in 24 hours to pay the only person that can make their problem go away. As the body count rises, it becomes clear that there will be no easy out.

Every so often the narrator will offer little tidbits about the characters as well as reminding us that he's glad he wasn't around for the incident he is describing - heightening the suspense of the story until we come to its brutal conclusion.

The film has a very gritty feel that could best be compared to that of 'Gummo'. Packed with dark hallways lit only by dim bulbs, the darkness of the picture is intoxicating and effectively conveys the theme of hopelessness that the film so graphically displays. One major distinction between Gravesend and Gummo, however, is that Gummo was incoherent trash. Gravesend is a masterpiece of independent film making.

Dysfunctional friends
Four twentysomething men in arrested adolesence let foolish pride lead them to a hard fall in GRAVESEND, an interesting street picture. Without giving away what happens, I thought the film concluded too harshly, but such a story certainly challenges the filmgoer more than most commercial movies would. I'd compare GRAVESEND to GOOD WILL HUNTING for its theme of young under-achievers. But unlike GOOD WILL HUNTING, GRAVESEND offers no Robin Williams and no happy-happy, gonna-see-about-a-girl ending. See GRAVESEND.

GRAVESEND IS WHAT IT IS. A CULT CLASSIC. EXCELLENT ACTORS!!!
IF YOU ASK ANYONE WHAT THEY THOUGHT OF GRAVESEND, YOU WILL GET 50% HATED IT 50% LOVED IT. AND YOU KNOW WHAT===IT HAS TO BE AN EXCELLENT MOVIE BECAUSE IT MAKES PEOPLE REACT IN WAYS THAT OTHER MOVIES DO NOT. PEOPLE GET HAPPY WHEN THEY TALK ABOUT IT AND GET MAD WHEN THEY TALK ABOUT IT. BOTTOM LINE--OLIVER STONE AND SPIELBERG LOVED IT AND IF ITS GOOD ENOUGH FOR THEM, IT SHOULD BE GOOD ENOUGH FOR EVERYONE ELSE. ANYONE WHO INSULTS THIS MOVIE IS JUST JEALOUS AND COULD NOT HAVE THE COURAGE TO WRITE DIRECT CAST AND PRODUCE A $5000.00 FEATURE. TOP THAT BIG MOUTHS. ALSO TOM BRANDISE (MIKEY) AND TONY TUCCI (ZANE) WERE INCREDIBLE. THE CHARACTER OF RAY WAS WEAK...

If you liked 'HATE', this film is definately for you...
Sometimes film don't fit any category, as we can see with 'HATE' and 'Tetsuo: Iron Man'. Although a bit harshly shot (not bad for only a $5,000 budget though!), it is cleverly executed, bringing a stark look to a group of kids who really weren't ready for this... ... Read more

Reviews (10)

Why Can't Hollywood Do Films Like This??
No, really..... why can't "Hollywood" make films of this caliber? This is just like, My Big Fat Greek Wedding, in terms of being a great film that relies on story, plot & acting to carry the film, not big name stars or big time special effects. I loved the movie and laughed all the way through. I only wish more people had had a chance to see it.

Hit and Runway
This is such a wonderful movie. It is too bad more people did not get a chance to see it. It was a smart, funny film. The writing is excellent and the characters are so engaging.

Actually loved it!!!
I was in Blockbuster one evening perusing the previously viewed dvd section of the store. I came across this film, picked it up, put it back down and picked it up again. I don't know what compelled me to buy it since every instinct I had told me it would probably stink. And, I had a reputation to uphold of only watching cutting edge foreign and art house films. But, I must admit to really enjoying this exceptionally sweet story. It's enormously entertaining. Try it, you may just like it!

Please see this film!
A wonderful little film -- well-written and (for the most part) well-acted. I won't recount the plotline since many other reviewers have done so, but there are some terrific scenes and great laughs in this gem.

It's hard to pick out some of my favorite scenes and write about them because they will give away key elements of the movie, but suffice it to say that a seduction scene involving Yiddish being spoken is genuinely clever, funny, and will remain on my top 20 list for originality in the years to come.

Like many smaller films, there are no well-known names here which of course doesn't always equate to lack of acting talent. (In fact I think we all know of at LEAST one or two highly-paid personalities who exhibit little or no acting ability!) Peter Jacobson (Elliott) in particular deserves recognition. He could have gone way over the top with his role as a gay Jewish writer with low self-esteem and high libido, but he manages to bring his character down to earth at just the right moments.

All in all a memorable film that deserves to be seen. Support indie films and see/rent/buy this!

A Surprisingly Sweet and Touching Comedy
What starts out on the level of "Kiss Me Guido" or "Just One Time" dares to actually go one level deeper. If Woody Alan would ever get in touch with his feminine side, he could have written this screenplay.

For film industry people, the plot, and its devices, requires a certain amount of suspension of disbelief at times (or at least the ability to close one eye occasionally), but the little surprises, twists and arcs will touch even the most jaded amongst us.

Very commendable performances by both Michael Parducci and Peter Jacobson.

Long live the indi film industry! ... Read more