I recline in my seat, turn the light off and hit the PLAY button.

The climax scene unfolds before my amazed eyes.

I have done it.

I finished editing the last scene of the film and now I can officially say that WE HAVE A FILM.

What that means is that I can now play the entire movie from top to bottom and it's all there, in a semi rough state, needing merely some tweaking and more massaging to reach it's full potential, a diamond in the rough, waiting for a little polishing to shine. And clocking at a little over two and a half hours currently. But I'm gonna work on that some more, hoping to keep right at 150 minutes, if at all possible.

This is a milestone moment in my long journey. I am deeply happy.  

I still have one tiny scene missing, which we are to film soon, and several pick up shots which I am sure will keep me quite busy and stimulated for the next few weeks, but all in all, the bulk of the painful labor is done, and it's all coasting from this point forward...

As I watch the climax scene, I can't help but wonder how the public will receive this film. I am very proud about the fact that this film has never been done before. It is fresh, and stands in a class of its very own... And as such will stick out like a sore thumb and get noticed, for better or for worse... It is going to surprise people, to get them to think. And I can't help but wonder whether those who are looking for another American Graffiti, will be able to recover from the deep surprise they are up for when they watch DEUCE OF SPADES. The two films have NOTHING in common, except maybe for old cars. American Graffiti, light, happy and rather shallow... DEUCE OF SPADES, dramatic, dark and deeper than most everyday people ever dare to go... A Hot Rod film of ultimate substance... Who would have thought it could be possible? I worry it will go over the heads of some... Yet, the inviting plot unfolds at the perfect pace and I doubt anyone will have a hard time following the storyline, as I went to great length to tie all the details neatly and make it bullit proof. You need not be a brainiac to understand perfectly this film. There's nothing I hate more than a film you can't follow, that drags or is so abstract that you simply, no matter how hard you try, can't get it. Or even films that end abruptly, without any resolve, leaving you frustrated "THAT was the end?? I invested two hours of my life to watch this and this is what they are leaving me with?"

No, DEUCE OF SPADES is nothing like that. It's long but compelling, and the 2.5 hours goes by so fast it feels more like an hour and a half. You keep wondering what is going to happen next and I doubt people will be able to not become deeply emotionally involved with the story, the characters and of course, Johnny. But if you are expecting a cutesie, happy little fluff flick with gangs of JDs running around in fast cars, stealing, fighting, plundering and getting plastered, go home, you're not gonna get it with this film.

I got tired of hotrodders being depicted as criminals. They were young and foolish and loved fast cars and lived a little outside the law because of it, yes, but the majority of them were good kids and that is what I depicted in DEUCE OF SPADES. Good kids that lived in a country in a time where innocence and romance were still alive. In a time where people had value, and men had character, integrity and balls.

Especially Johnny Callaway. A ballsy, courageous kid who's love for hotrods and speed will come at a very high price. There are mistakes to be made and painful lessons to learn and a deep sense of accountability throughout the film. Johnny is a man of conscience, despite his wild side and he knows the difference between right and wrong. 

This is a story of Sin, Guilt, Providence and Redemption.

So there you have it, for better or for worse, take it or leave it, this is what you gonna get.

 below: The kids of DEUCE OF SPADES