Chasing the Green (2009) Poster

(2009)

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4/10
a comedy drama love story documentary - all in one
cekadah13 July 2013
and that 'all in one' doesn't work!

the problem with this movie isn't the story but how the producers put it together! it's as if they didn't have enough conviction to the story as it actually happened. you discover at the end of the movie that the story is based on an actual event.

i do so wish they had stuck with the chronological telling of the two brothers and their quest through cell phones and credit cards to become wealthy. which actually happens, but that part of the story is squeezed between 'relationships' with other people and comic scenes.

Devane really doesn't add anything to the acting. it just stumbles along then you discover that they go broke but the girl stays. big deal.

i think they missed an opportunity to make a compelling story of overly ambitious people in both the private business world and government regulators.
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3/10
Lots of golf, not much movie
nattylap227 August 2009
Warning: Spoilers
This film was of particular interest to me and our family, as well as several close friends, as we knew the real life brothers as they grew up. So we were really hoping the movie would be successful. Unfortunately, we all agreed it was dreadful. It was very slow moving, the dialog was leaden, the acting mediocre.

The previous comments emphasized that this was a case of the government waging a vendetta against these youthful entrepreneurs. Maybe so. But you have to keep in mind that the screenplay was written by, and the film was produced by, Craig Frankel. He was the real life older brother. So, obviously, this was a "he says, he says" kind of situation. In addition, after paying the big fine to the government, both boys had millions left to themselves. Neither of them will ever have to work again if they don't want to.

The film made it appear as if the older brother just went along for the ride. The younger, brash, fast talking brother was made to be the villain of the piece. I wonder how the brothers are getting along these days.
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For the love of the game
stehouwerpublishingjab8 July 2021
I very much found this film to be enjoyable. Three different dynamic personalitys tell a story.
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9/10
Great film, great soundtrack
jingleshanks12 March 2009
This is a very entertaining movie, especially if you remember the '90s. It's a reminder of how exciting things were back then, with the new tech and before things went crazy here. The soundtrack is first-rate, and Jeremy London is fantastic, as is Ryan Hurst and William Devane. In fact, there are no weak performances. The film deals with two brothers who basically took on the business world and came out winners, which ticked off the big boys in the industry, who came after them with guns blazing. Devane is wonderful, as always. Any chance to see this great actor should be taken advantage of. And Heather McComb is lovely as always. The fact that it's based on a true story makes it that much more interesting. A really entertaining film, you won't be disappointed!
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8/10
Wall Street for Main Street
charlesemanuel18 June 2009
Chasing the Green is "Wall Street" for "Main Street". It is a very well acted, told and directed story of 2 brothers who start with high school educations and a good dose of greed and ambition and succeed in building a very successful business enterprise only to collide with the might and power of a petty government bureaucrat. In light of our current economic situation it is a great primer on the the excesses of the individual and the government and the impact of that conflict on the players and by-standers . Good acting and good direction make for an entertaining movie experience. This is Russ Emanuel's second feature, after P.J., and showcases his growth as a director.
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9/10
Big fan of true stories
igolf1-112 March 2009
A Film Well Done

Went to the screening and loved the story. I am a fan of true stories and this one was good. It's a little different from most because this was about two brothers who start a company with nothing and turn it into a company with over 300 employees. Many of their friends joined them who had no experience in the industry. How'd they do that? They pulled so many stupid and funny pranks on each other (I guess twenty year old's will do that). It also had a recognizable cast. I remember Ryan Hurst from Remember the Titans and Jeremy London from Party of Five. William Devane is always great. The music is also good (love that .38 special song!). After watching these two brothers build this multi-million dollar company and then get treated very badly by the government (and stripped of millions) made me wonder what they'll do next. Definitely a film worth watching.
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9/10
Chasing the Green is a film that encapsulates the financial time we are living today.
284718 June 2009
Chasing the Green is simply one of the best subject films out today. The story and the entire content is completely contemporary with todays corporate financial and government crossover issues. The acting is superb and the direction and production was captivating. I recommend this film to anyone who wants a behind the scene look at what corporate and government issues in finance can really be like. The casting of this motion picture is also excellent. William Devane was completely believable as the agent representing the FTC and Ryan Hurst was amazing! Commenting on the locations for shooting this film must not be overlooked. Clearly, the producers went to great lengths so create the precise mood for developing a start-up company with all of the entrapments small businesses run in to while developing into corporate giants. Again, this is a film that made a big impression on me as I discovered just how businesses on the way up, can easily over step boundaries unintentionally.
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9/10
Another great film from the team that borough you P.J.
filmlover0511 March 2009
As I said before and I will say it again, I love films of all types. This includes "Chasing the Green," which I saw at the Park City Film Music Festival and now seems to be headed for the big screen in a month, from the same team that brought us "P.J." Unlike "P.J.", "Chasing the Green" is based on a true story and it has more comedic elements. Starring Jeremy London of "Party of Five", Ryan Hurst from "Remember the Titans", William Devane of "24", along with "P.J." alums Patricia Rae and Robert Picardo, it's a non-stop ride of the likes of "Wall Street." It's about two young brothers who succeed in the cell phone market only to be unfairly brought down by the Federal Trade Commission. Beyond that, so i won't give anything away, I will only say, you won't be disappointed if you see this film.
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8/10
They score again.
jab5011 March 2009
After watching "P.J." I was curious to see how the filmmakers would progress with this film. And like "P.J.", I have to say, not bad at all if very different! It seems they had a bigger budget on this film and it shows with the various locations, especially the golf scenes, as well as the actors like William Devane. And they got "Closing Time" by Semisonic, one of my favorite songs. Not bad, not bad at all.

This film has only screened at the Park City Film Music Festival but I see it has already one a gold award from that festival as well as best song of the year from the MAVRIC Independent Music Awards for a Jenni Alpert song. I will be curious to see what else it gets into, but it seems it will be screening theatrically in April/May so that's good.

If you have a chance to see, I highly recommend people to see it. Thanks for listening.
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10/10
Great inspiring "true story" film!
ScottduPont3 April 2021
I really love this film. True, inspiring stories of two kids who never got to go to college or business school, but chased their dreams anyway. (Unexpected twist at the end & I won't share any spoilers). Fantastic cast including Jeremy London! This film also goes under the title "Big Shots".
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10/10
Paul Zeylikman really pulled this one together!
mfrenke11 February 2020
10/10, The lead actor Paul Zeylikman's performance brings a unique twist to the classical story of a young child with a propensity for gardening. Hoping for an encore!
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