Minding the Gap

One of the most pleasant surprises of 2018. What starts out seemingly like a skate-culture doc turns into a heart-felt and powerful meditation on abuse among families. All three main characters are extremely sympathetic. The way it all comes together - the way it invites you into the thesis - and how the filmmaker explains to his subjects what the doc is truly about - is masterful.

A tender and nuanced, though loosely-woven, examination **** of friends, their love of skateboarding, and their struggle to break the cycles of violence and poverty that have shaped their lives.

It comes off as a little aimless at first, but this documentary about some skaters really starts to take shape after the first 20 minutes or so. It's extremely personal and heartfelt, and by the end you'll find yourself more invested in the story than you probably ever thought you would be. Really an excellent documentary.

Touching story that this documentarian was able to weave between the experience of himself and two of his friends AND tie it to skateboarding. Painfully realistic throughout its runtime, except for the ending which I have a hard time believing, but maybe I'm too cynical. Recommended from me, especially if you're into skateboarding.

Skate Away And Roll Away. Minding The Gap Liu's documentary on a diverse group of people that are connected with one heart pumping passion is not only an essential eye opening subject to explore upon but is also a gripping and compelling family drama. As far as the clips of all the skateboard stunts are concerned, there is no need to look back. But one of the main reason why they work so smoothly on narration, is when the makers need a visual medium while someone is narrating, these clips help immensely for them to link all the parallel tracks perfectly. Divided into three tracks and three lives, the one that connects you with majorly is Johnson's or at least it did to me. Since his track does not stand exceptionally alone, one can connect on multiple level with his life. On the other hand, the truly dramatic or cinematic of all, is of Liu's which is so sharp and powerfully executed that the emotions may rumble you down to tears. And the rest of the space is taken by Johnson who has his own dodgy issues where the other related to him too gets to factor in effectively, a fair and balanced trial put on by the maker. Another primary reason it speaks more to the common people, is because they keep them grounded as much as possible, despite of having an exceptional life, the tiny details on their routines and light and breezy equation with someone, is how they easily get under your skin. Liu; the director, himself has done a splendid work on foliating the drama that they went through, it can be really difficult to project your own story with such conviction especially without any manipulation or milking too much of the material. Minding The Gap is the most balanced documentary possible, it sticks by its job, the genre never overtakes the content and the drama communicates with you.