Grind Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

Four skater dudes chase their dreams across the country, occasionally remembering to skate, mostly eating gas station snacks and avoiding real jobs.

🍿 Grind: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Chasing the Dream

Eric Rivers and his friends, Dustin and Matt, graduate high school and decide to pursue their dream of becoming professional skateboarders. They plan to follow Jimmy Wilson’s skate tour, hoping to impress him and get sponsored. Their initial attempt to meet Jimmy fails, but they receive advice to keep skating and stay true to themselves.

Team Super Duper’s Road Trip

The trio forms their own skate team, ‘Super Duper,’ financed by Dustin’s college fund. They recruit Sweet Lou to be their driver and embark on a road trip from Chicago to Santa Monica, following Jimmy Wilson’s tour. They encounter various misadventures and challenges as they try to break into the professional skateboarding scene.

Confrontations and Challenges

Along their journey, the team faces rejection and ridicule from the skateboarding establishment. They encounter other professional skaters, including Bam Margera and his crew, who both help and hinder their progress. Eric develops a connection with Jamie, a fellow skater, adding a romantic element to their quest.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Eric Rivers (Mike Vogel): A determined skateboarder who dreams of turning pro and embarks on a road trip with his friends to get noticed.
• Dustin Knight (Adam Brody): The goal-oriented and pragmatic friend who reluctantly funds the skate trip with his college savings.
• Matt Jensen (Vince Vieluf): A misfit slacker and loyal friend who provides comic relief and unwavering support to the group.
• Sweet Lou (Joey Kern): A laid-back ladies’ man who provides transportation and a carefree attitude to the skateboarding crew.
• Jamie (Jennifer Morrison): A skilled female skater who joins the crew and adds a romantic element to the road trip.
• Jimmy Wilson (Jason London): A skateboarding legend whose tour inspires the group to follow their dreams of becoming professional skaters.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Dustin: “Wake up, and smell the desperation.” – Dustin says this line in a sarcastic tone, highlighting the reality of their situation as they struggle to gain recognition in the skateboarding world.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $6,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $5,123,696
• Worldwide Gross: $5,141,166

💥 Grind Reviews

Personal Review

Okay, I’ll admit it, I watched this movie a bunch when I was younger. I loved the road trip vibe, and the skating scenes were cool enough. Looking back, the humor is pretty cheesy, but there’s something about the friendship between the main characters that still resonates. I especially remember liking the scene where they finally get noticed – felt like a real underdog victory. Maybe it’s nostalgia, but I still find it fun to watch.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of skateboarding movies”
  • “Viewers looking for a lighthearted comedy”
  • “Fans of Adam Brody or other cast members”
  • “Those who enjoy early 2000s teen movies”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Crude humor”
  • “Some suggestive content”
  • “Mild language”
  • “Brief drug references”

Professional Reviews

• Rolling Stone: “Grind attempts a fun, lighthearted vibe but trips over its own board with predictable plot points and over-the-top characters. While the skating stunts are decent, the film lacks originality and genuine humor, making it a mediocre entry in the skate movie genre.
• Variety: “This teen comedy about skateboarding dreams starts off energetically but soon loses momentum. The film’s reliance on tired stereotypes and predictable jokes overshadows the actual skateboarding, leaving viewers wanting more of the action and less of the cheesy drama.

Audience Reactions

The cameos from famous skaters like Bam Margera and Ryan Sheckler are a huge draw for fans of the sport.: Viewers appreciate the fun, easy-going vibe and the exciting skateboarding sequences.

Many found the movie relatable for its themes of friendship and pursuing your dreams, even with obstacles.: Despite its flaws, many viewers enjoy the film as a lighthearted, feel-good experience.

Overall Consensus: While critically panned for its predictable plot and cheesy humor, ‘Grind’ maintains a nostalgic appeal and is enjoyed by some viewers for its skateboarding action and themes of friendship.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Professional skateboarder Ryan Sheckler appears in the movie as the 12-year-old who challenges the skate team.”
• “Many professional skateboarders, including Bucky Lasek, Bob Burnquist, and Pierre Luc Gagnon, make cameo appearances.”
• “The movie features several members of the Jackass crew, including Bam Margera, Preston Lacy, and Wee Man.”

🖥️ How to Watch Grind?

Grind is available for purchase or rental on platforms like Amazon Prime Video and Apple TV. Check your local listings for cable and streaming options as availability may vary. Consider subscribing to these services for convenient access to this and other skateboarding-themed movies.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Grind, you might like these similar films:

• Airborne (1993): Both films are about young people and extreme sports. Airborne features in-line skating, while Grind is about skateboarding.
• Lords of Dogtown (2005): A biographical drama about the Z-Boys and the birth of skateboarding culture in the 1970s.
• Street Dreams (2009): Another skateboarding movie focusing on the ambition of young skaters trying to make it big.

🛒 Grind Related Products

• Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1 + 2 – PlayStation 4: Relive the iconic skateboarding games fully remastered. Skate as the legends, including Tony Hawk, and rediscover your favorite tricks and locations.
• Element Skateboards Section Complete Skateboard: High-quality complete skateboard featuring Element’s classic design. Perfect for beginners and experienced skaters alike to ride at the skatepark like the stars of Grind.
• Independent Stage 11 Standard Skateboard Trucks: Durable and reliable skateboard trucks from Independent, trusted by pros for years. Upgrade your ride for better performance and stability.
• Skateboarding T-Shirt – ‘Eat Sleep Skate Repeat’: Show your love for skateboarding with this comfortable and stylish t-shirt. A perfect way to represent your passion for skating.

🎧 Soundtrack

Grind features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “More Than a Friend” – performed by All Too Much
• “Boom” – performed by P.O.D.
• “Bust a Move” – performed by Young MC
• “The Used” – performed by Unknown Artist

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Ryan Sheckler in Grind (2003)

Remember Ryan Sheckler in ‘Grind’? Check out this short clip of him shredding it up! I forgot he was even in this movie, a nice surprise!

Classic Jennifer Morrison and Mike Vogel interview for Grind

Ever wonder what the stars of ‘Grind’ thought about the movie? This interview with Jennifer Morrison and Mike Vogel gives you a behind-the-scenes peek. They are charming and funny!

✨ Rate