Neo Ned (2005)

80% of critics liked it
(5 reviews)
71% of users liked it
(501 ratings)

Ned (Jeremy Renner of Dahmer) is a proud member of the Aryan Brotherhood who has been admitted to a mental institution for his involvement in a racially motivated murder. Dr. Magnuson (Cary Elwes) and Johnny (Ethan Suplee) have trouble keeping Ned in line. Boisterous and belligerent, he's prone to… More Ned (Jeremy Renner of Dahmer) is a proud member of the Aryan Brotherhood who has been admitted to a mental institution for his involvement in a racially motivated murder. Dr. Magnuson (Cary Elwes) and Johnny (Ethan Suplee) have trouble keeping Ned in line. Boisterous and belligerent, he's prone to childish tantrums when things don't go his way. Still, the other inmates, like Joey (Eddie Kaye Thomas) seem to look up to him. Ned's life at the facility is upended with the arrival of Rachael (Gabrielle Union of Bring It On), a beautiful young black woman who's brought in shouting German, and seems to believe that she's possessed by the spirit of Adolf Hitler. At first, Ned mocks her, and attempts to provoke her, but soon, his feelings toward Rachael turn surprisingly tender. Eventually, Ned and Rachael open up to each other, revealing the past traumas that left them in such a screwed up state. Ned, still reluctant to give up the accoutrements of skinhead life, tells Rachael about his imprisoned father and his unhappy foster care experiences, and Rachael tells him about being sexually abused, and reveals that she has a young daughter. When Ned is released from the hospital, he convinces Rachael to leave with him, but the couple finds life together on the outside difficult. Neo Ned also stars Steve Railsback and Sally Kirkland. It was written by Tim Boughn and directed by Van Fischer (Blink of an Eye, aka Urban Jungle). It had its world premiere in the Narrative Feature Competition of the 2005 Tribeca Film Festival. ~ Josh Ralske, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 37 min.
Directed By: Van Fischer
Genres: Drama, Romance

In Theaters: Apr 22, 2005 Wide
On DVD: Dec 30, 2008

Critic Reviews

Mark Olsen, Los Angeles Times
It's a little rough around the edges, to be sure, but with such strong lead performances there is something irresistible in the film's audaciously straight-faced portrayal of such an unlikely relationship.
John Anderson, Variety
Neo Ned may be ludicrous on paper, but it has what fans of independent film are looking for -- atmosphere, humanity and just a dash of fantastic drama.
Mark Bell, Film Threat
Never boring, never pretentious, never preachy, Neo Ned could find its place alongside some of the great independent romance films of all time, if enough people are able to catch a glimpse of it.
Matthew Duersten, L.A. Weekly
The problem lies in the film's inability to decide whether such loaded images are funny in a Farrelly Brothers/Dave Chapelle kind of way or if they mean something deeper.

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Featured Audience Ratings

Leo L

Here's an interesting movie about two individuals, with problems of their own, connect in a mental institution. They decide to take on the responsibilities of the outside world, and become part of it when their deepest fears become too much to bear. Great cast- Jeremy Renner,… More
Here's an interesting movie about two individuals, with problems of their own, connect in a mental institution. They decide to take on the responsibilities of the outside world, and become part of it when their deepest fears become too much to bear. Great cast- Jeremy Renner, Gabrielle Union, Ethan Suplee, and Eddie Kay Thomas. Worth seeing!