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50%
Overall Rating
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Ranked #12,553
...out of 20,690 movies
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When Eldon and Cole pick up a hitchhiker, Jean on their father-son trip to find perspective on the back roads of America, they quickly learn that everything is not what it seems. As the road unfolds in front of them, so do their lives begin to intertwine. A small-time crook on the run, an ex-cop and his quiet ten-year-old son begin to bond together - at least until the secrets begin slipping out. Before Jean can figure out what is really going on, she finds herself already trapped in a spiraling nightmare where she will have to make a choice between turning her back on a little boy who needs her help, or sacrificing herself and going back to jail.
--IMDb
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This is my first attempt to review a film that's not horror, or a documentary. This falls under the thriller category, or maybe even film noir. I do know that it's hard to describe much in the plot without giving away twists, and maybe that's a good thing, because this film is worth your time to watch.
We start out with Jean (Renee Humphrey), a small time crook, on the run from the cops. She makes her getaway, but her vehicle breaks down, leaving her to hitchhike and hope for the best in the heat. She finds luck in Eldon (Boyd Kestner) and his son Cody (Tanner Richie). They are traveling across country to see "The Real America", and they pick up Jean to ride to wherever she decides she wants to go.
We find out some things about Eldon. He is an ex-cop, a seemingly ex-husband, and for some unknown reason he clings to his newly found friend Jean. All is not what it seems on any front at all. The twists and turns are many, and the cat and mouse mind games are fun to watch. To give away any more of the plot would be to ruin the movie for you. I don't want to spoil your fun.
This was a great suspense film, as I kept wanting the secrets to be revealed to each of the characters in the movie. You know lots of information before the other characters do, and it almost has you talking to the screen, telling them what to say or do - always the mark of a good movie as far as I'm concerned. The story progresses and a good, steady clip from beginning to end, and all three leads were good solid actors. Even the bit part rolls were solid, which is rare in low budget film. Granted, this wasn't made on a hundred dollars, but still there are no huge names attached to the production anywhere, so this is great film-making by all involved.
As far as specs on the film, there is only the movie trailer as far as bonus features on the DVD. This was a disappointment to me, especially after viewing the film. I wanted to at least have a behind the scenes featurette, because I was interested in what the actors had to say about the film and their performances in it. It's shot in full-frame aspect ratio. This only distracted me for the first few minutes, then I realized that this probably never had a theatrical release. And lastly, I can't tell if this was SOV or not, but the film has a grainy look to it, and not the 70's or 80's film stock look. It seems as though it was done intentionally, maybe to add a gritty feel to the film. It was unnecessary in my opinion, but did not detract from the final product either.
My final thoughts are positive. This needs to be in your Netflix queue at the minimum, and a purchase of the movie for your collection would not be a bad idea either. Enjoy the suspense. 7/10.
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#1:
Bill Wolford
- added April 10, 2013 at 1:53am
This is getting a re-release from MVD later on
this month. Grab it if you get the chance.
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