Susan Granger’s review of “small time” (Anchor Bay Films)
“This is the story about my father and the summer we spent together many years ago. It was the summer that changed my life.”
That’s the way Freddy Klein (Devon Bostick) introduces his dad Al (Christopher Meloni), who owns Diamond Motors, a used car dealership in Covina in Southern California. Strategically working in tandem with his partner, perennial bachelor Ash Martini (Dean Norris), Al can sell cars to even the most unlikely customers, like an unsuspecting thief who was trying to steal off the lot. Middle-aged Al’s divorced from Barbara (Bridget Moynahan), who dumped him to marry Chick (Xander Berkeley), a wealthy venture capitalist, and their son Freddy has just graduated from high school. To everyone’s surprise, Freddy decides to forego college in favor of selling cars with his easygoing dad. While vulnerable Al is thrilled to have his only son move back in, when Freddy starts to emulate him and manipulate customers, Al has some difficult decisions to make.
Making his big-screen debut, Emmy-winning writer/director Joel Surnow (co-creator/executive producer of Fox’s “24”) recalls that he wrote the first draft with the late Randall A. Wallace during the summer of 1976, just after he graduated from UCLA film school. He based the characters of Klein and Martini on his father and his partner, who were slick but small-time carpet salesmen. Filled with humor and heart, Surnow has created an endearing father/son coming-of-age comedic drama. His spot-on casting teams Christopher Meloni (“Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” and “Oz”) with Dean Norris (“Breaking Bad”) and Devon Bostick (“Diary of a Wimpy Kid”), while Bridget Moynahan (“Blue Bloods”) adds surprising depth. Amaury Nolasco adds support as a troubled mechanic, as does Ashley Jensen as the office manager.
On the Granger Movie Gauge of 1 to 10, “small time” is an insightful 6, destined for well-deserved popularity on the DVD shelf.
