Race You to the Bottom (2005)

50% of critics liked it
(12 reviews)
39% of users liked it
(751 ratings)

A bisexual travel writer assigned the task of covering Napa Valley's most romantic hot spots invites an old college friend to join him on his quest, only to find their attraction blossoming into something much more complex in writer/director Russell Brown's look at fidelity, promiscuity, and sexual… More A bisexual travel writer assigned the task of covering Napa Valley's most romantic hot spots invites an old college friend to join him on his quest, only to find their attraction blossoming into something much more complex in writer/director Russell Brown's look at fidelity, promiscuity, and sexual morality in the modern era. Nathan (Cole Williams) is an L.A.-based writer preparing to pen an article about the Napa Valley wine district. Recognizing that a trip to wine country is always more fun when you invite a friend along, Nathan contacts old college friend Maggie (Amber Benson), who readily agrees to join him on his trip. Though both Nathan and Maggie currently have boyfriends, their attraction to one another finds wine tasting taking a back seat to an affair that raises numerous questions as to the fragility of intimate relationships when love knows no gender. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: R, 1 hr. 15 min.
Directed By: Russell Brown
Genres: Drama, Romance

In Theaters: Apr 30, 2005 Wide
On DVD: Jul 17, 2007
Studio: Regent Releasing

Critic Reviews

Frank Scheck, Hollywood Reporter
Although more than a little familiar in its road movie-style romantic banter and bickering, the film is easy to take for a number of reasons, including the witty and frequently caustic dialogue.
Jeannette Catsoulis, New York Times
Self-consciously edgy and romantically limp.
Kevin Thomas, Los Angeles Times
An illuminating glimpse into some of the more challenging complications that contemporary relationships can present.
Dennis Harvey, Variety
Brown's screenplay and direction, both economical and unshowy, sketch character dynamics in crisp terms that resist the temptation to explain all, beg sympathy or heighten drama for purely histrionic purposes.
Jeffrey M. Anderson, Combustible Celluloid
I nearly gave up after an incredibly awkward, self-conscious first five minutes, but eventually writer/director Russell Brown finds his groove and sustains it for a long while.
Ken Fox, TV Guide's Movie Guide
Brown is never clear enough on how he feels about his own characters.
Timothy Knight, Reel.com
A wisp of a film, dramatically threadbare, and saddled with a brittle and affected performance by Williams.
Jay Antani, Boxoffice Magazine
While clocking in at a relatively painless 75 minutes, Brown fails to come up with anything so fresh and bold in his approach as to make a single one of those worth watching.
Chuck Wilson, L.A. Weekly
Interesting, well-acted debut feature from writer-director Russell Brown.
Rich Cline, Shadows on the Wall
While the filmmaking shows natural skill, the movie lacks the energy and passion needed to really engage the audience.
Eric Campos, Film Threat
You want uncomfortable tales of love and woe, then Race You to the Bottom has what you're looking for.

Read all 11 critic reviews

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Featured Audience Ratings

Robert C

An interesting premise, acted out by completely unbelievable cast. The main draw for me was Justin (Green Arrow) Hartley, but he has all of five inutes of screen time and even he looked like he knew this was beneath him. No pun intended.