Astute observational indie about two guys who are stuck. Neither can admit that anyone is worse off, on a lower rung of America's economic ladder. They find themselves working together at a slow fast-food drive-through in a town that's been left behind. The elder of the two -- played with almost painful truthfulness by Richard Jenkins -- is a crumbling white guy who has been serving up low-nutrition burgers and fries for 38 years and thinks he's looking forward to his last shift. His trainee is a gifted young black man -- skilfully presented by Shane Paul McGhie as a charmer with a chip on his shoulder -- whose intelligence can't save him from the consequences of his resentment.

Written and directed with skill and sensitivity by documentarian Andrew Cohn, this is an understated state-of-the-nation piece that makes its points without ever resorting to polemic.

Stanley (Richard Jenkins) has been working for 38 years at the same fast food restaurant in a small Michigan town. Her manager Shazz (Da'Vine Joy Randolph) assigns him to train Jevon (Shane Paul McGhie) for the night shift. Jevon's on parole and Evelyn (Allison Tolman) is his parole officer. Dale (Ed O'Neill) is Stanley's friend.

I need to like Jevon more especially in the beginning. Initially, I like Stanley but Jevon annoyed me. There is one defining characteristic difference between the two. Nothing showcases that more than their family responsibility. Stanley is horribly concerned about his mother in the retirement home but Jevon couldn't care less about his son. It would be very helpful if Jevon starts as a caring father. His writer's block would be more compelling. As it stands, I don't care about his difficulties. There is a switch in the middle which is interesting but the consequences would be more compelling if Jevon holds more rooting interest. All in all, these are great actors and these everyday characters are somewhat intriguing. Jevon's bitterness and irresponsibility are hurdles to truly getting involved with these characters.

Richard Jenkins ... always an excellent choice if he's available. Such a range this guy has - and his performance here is matched by his .. well "successor". While he is on his way out, he will get replaced and has to teach the guy who comes after him how to do the job he did.

The fact that the guy is an ex con and way younger than our leading man ... well it has to lead to some conflicts. For better or worse those two have different world views. And whether you agree with one or the other ... it does fuel the story and the character development ... and adds tremendous drama to the whole thing. Some other great additions in the acting department round up a really interesting drama - slow moving, but good, with many themes that will connect to a certain target audience.