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Joey Dedio, Darnell Williams, Vin Diesel, Mike Epps, T.K. Kirkland ... see more see more... , Susanne Lanza , F. Valentino Morales , Mihaela Tudorof , Brian Reingold , Suzanne Lanza

Rick (Vin Diesel) is a gang boss who deals drugs and commits petty crimes by day, and at night drowns himself in sex and drugs to wipe his daytime activities out of his mind. Rick longs for a quieter,... read more read more... more stable way of life, and when he meets the refined Heather (Susanne Lanza), he falls in love. Heather falls for Rick as well, but Rick finds that changing himself and getting out of the outlaw world are not as simple as he may have hoped. Strays also stars Joey Dedio, Darnell Williams, and Mike Epps. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

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51% liked it

1,525 ratings

R, 1 hr. 45 min.

Directed by: Vin Diesel

Release Date: January 18, 1997

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DVD Release Date: January 15, 2008

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Flixster Reviews (159)

  • tolkienfan101
    September 27, 2011
    tolkienfan101
    This film is interesting to say the least. I had never known Vin Diesel had started off as a director as well, and actually, I can say that he could really succeed if he buckled down. "Strays" is a good and a bad film at the same time, mimicking a similar style of an infamous ear... read morely 90s film "Kids", yet it is not as effective as Larry Clark's Magnum Opus. Diesel plays his character well enough, though he really doesn't have much to emote in the first two acts of the film, the third portion is really what brings the whole production home, it is where the best writing, best acting, and most effective open-ened catharsis occurs that actually make the whole first hour worth while. The actors could have been a bit better, though they visually fit their parts, and the camera work could have been much better, especially because of the tight, uncomfortable framing of shots that really didn't need to be so pushed in. Entertaining, the good scenes outweigh the bad, not by much, but just enough. Slow moving but the pacing is correct for this type of film. If more effort was put into the direction, I think this really could have been a realistic and raw piece, more than just it's last part.
  • fb619846742
    October 25, 2008
    fb619846742
    A pretty well made movie. Diesel is phenominal as the lead star, and he also wrote and directed this film. The transformation from a character and location piece (where its strongest) to a typical love story is an uneven transition, but once its there, its pretty well fleshed out... read more. As said, Diesel gives probably his second best performance (with his first best being from "The Fast and the Furious", obviously) of his career, but a better ending would've made this an automatic recommendation. Instead, its just an okay movie. Here's hoping Vin makes a comeback, he's got talent, he just needs to utilize it to a lasting degree in Hollywood.
  • Chosen718
    February 6, 2010
    Chosen718
    Good independent film. It was a bit slow at times but very realistic [if you've been to or live in NYC], and enjoyable. An inspired performance by Vin Diesel [who also wrote, directed, and produced this film]. It's basically about 4 friends who were raised without a father in the... read moreir lives [hence the title Strays...Vin's character Rick basically gives up the meaning to the title of the film when he's talking to his girlfriend]. Vin's character Rick sells weed and even though he's never seen doing an actual job the entire film...he tells his customers that's it not how he makes a living. Rick is basically living in denial; as are some of the other main characters. It's not a crime-drama or an action flick or anything that you'd expect from Vin Diesel but it's still worth watching for the realism of the characters and the performances. If I go any further I'll give away too many details so I'll just say that overall it was a very interesting film with a good ending, and Vin Diesel should write and direct more films. "Life's A Matador"
  • irisheyes686
    April 6, 2008
    irisheyes686
    Not a very good movie...the ending in particular was pretty lame. But staring at Vin Diesel the whole time was a plus! :)
  • ileo
    January 21, 2008
    ileo
    This movie is great! An interesting take by Vin Diesel.
  • jusstpete
    May 13, 2012
    jusstpete
    Not a very good movie. While interesting to see Vin Diesel not in an action role as per usual i think i'd still rather see him in one. Drama writting and acting isn't his forte
  • DaGMan4280
    February 9, 2012
    DaGMan4280
    it was a great and engrossing film for the whole way through. Vin Diesel did well as far as the performance goes, and all of the cast well picked. Is the story original maybe not so much, was it mind blowing definitely not, but its engrossing for 98% of the film. The biggest flaw... read mores i have with this film is truthfully the ending is horrible normal only certain films can just end and it be satisfying and leaves the audience with an understanding of what it is that supposedly happens for the films main character or relationship or w.e. the case this film unfortunately didn't have that effect if it anything it completely left wondering well what happens to Rick and Heather? It was poor judgement on Diesels part there. Now another problem i have with this film is the the fact that were is alot of poor camera work done here, i mean there are certain scenes where the actors cant be seen, or only part of their body is in the shot or their head is cut off(i find that to be the most annoying) and because of that i had a hard time being like wow this wasn't given the time and attention that what wouldve been a very solid film deserves. Essentially for the character development and focus of the story it is ok and solid, unfortunately so much is unanswered and with terrible camera work this film falls short of being great to just an ok time killer.
  • rflcanela
    December 3, 2009
    rflcanela
    Amazing!! There's more to Vin than action flix!! I liked this movie, it was quite a surprise 2 see his talent in film making!! Thumbs up!
  • dredzag
    September 3, 2008
    dredzag
    Not a bad movie but ended too abruptly. Still seeing Vin in various states of nudity is always good lol.
  • blanktrip2004
    May 27, 2008
    blanktrip2004
    this is vin diesels first ever writter producer director and acting credit ever and it a decent film this movie is the first time that you will be introduced to mike epps formely day day of next friday fame its a decent film.

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Critic Reviews

Emanuel Levy
July 22, 2011
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com

The feature directing debut of actor Vin Diesel is a derivative, hanging out tale. Full Review

David Cornelius
February 7, 2009
David Cornelius, DVDTalk.com

A rough but engaging character study. Full Review

Richard Luck
August 8, 2008
Richard Luck, Film4

It's far from remarkable but there's enough about Strays to convince you Vin Diesel's more than a bald guy with a funny voice and big ol' biceps. Full Review

Andrew L. Urban
August 8, 2008
Andrew L. Urban, Urban Cinefile

Diesel is credible as Rick, a stray in Manhattan trying to go straight, and Lanza delivers a likeable girlfriend from a world far away from Rick's. Full Review

Emanuel Levy
October 18, 2008
Emanuel Levy, Variety

Click to read the article Full Review

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Strays Trivia

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