12/18/18 - Minding the Gap (2018) - 8/10

Skating becomes the joyous interstitial joining force between characters struggling with pain and a cycle of violence and small town decline. The tragedy and opened up relations of these friends truly bleeds through into the viewer is an ensorcelling spellbinder. The editing and construction of this tale, its development, and its deeper meanings was expertly executed.

The evolution of the subjects and their unions, with the budding realization of the pain they share binding them in an impetus fashion truly felt organic and earned. Much more than a “doc about skaters”.

I have never “got” skate culture, but a phrase like “skate or die” took on a new, challenging and educated perspective with this film. The healthy driving escape from the shitty broken axle of their realities. It clicked for me, as a bonding agent and a path of mutual experience/expertise on the fringes of society & understanding. Endearing, layered and poignant. Saying something powerful about a scene, a city and the situations pushing them to the limit.