The film is about a 40 something aged man who is reminiscing about his teenage years growing up in a small US town where his dad ran an auto garage. The lead is played by Gabrielle Marantz who plays a character named Matt Rupert. Matt's father "Doc" Ruppert played superbly by Xander Berkeley is a former war veteran who is trying to eke out an honorable living by running his own tow and automotive service station but he has some competition which is currently getting the better end of the business throughout town since his competitor has the towing licenses for the district locked up.
Matt has a brother who has no interest in the families auto repair shop so the support to keep the business running falls on Matt's shoulders. What Matt dreams about is getting away from his small town life and not spending the rest of his life repairing cars in his dads' garage. After witnessing his parents argue each night about unpaid bills, no hot water, and a fledging auto repair business that may be on its last legs, Matt has some big worries that most kids don't.
Matt's best friend Schulz, played by Corby Griesenbeck, is having trouble of his own at home and so the two young men have conspired to blow this pop stand and head out on to the highway singing "life is a highway". But wouldn't you know it? Life gets in the way in the form of parents, cars, girlfriends, bikers, money (or lack of it) and friendship, not necessarily in any order. Matt's story of reminiscing of his life in the 1970's is a story that we can all relate to and I must give the writer/director/actor Carl Thibault credit for putting together a decent storyline and music score. Where the film fails though is to give us a story on the big screen that resonates with its audience and captivates us for 90 minutes or so as well as some other great films such as Stand By Me or the "must see" A Bronx Tale.
I am not suggesting you avoid the film as it has some good qualities to look for in a film, such as Xander Berkeley's performance as a hard working war vet with strong principles, just don't expect it to transcend you for the next 90 minutes in to another world and with a story that will stay with you. Once the popcorn is gone, you probably will want more food rather than feel compelled to stay in your seat as you would with the aforementioned films.
Matt has a brother who has no interest in the families auto repair shop so the support to keep the business running falls on Matt's shoulders. What Matt dreams about is getting away from his small town life and not spending the rest of his life repairing cars in his dads' garage. After witnessing his parents argue each night about unpaid bills, no hot water, and a fledging auto repair business that may be on its last legs, Matt has some big worries that most kids don't.
Matt's best friend Schulz, played by Corby Griesenbeck, is having trouble of his own at home and so the two young men have conspired to blow this pop stand and head out on to the highway singing "life is a highway". But wouldn't you know it? Life gets in the way in the form of parents, cars, girlfriends, bikers, money (or lack of it) and friendship, not necessarily in any order. Matt's story of reminiscing of his life in the 1970's is a story that we can all relate to and I must give the writer/director/actor Carl Thibault credit for putting together a decent storyline and music score. Where the film fails though is to give us a story on the big screen that resonates with its audience and captivates us for 90 minutes or so as well as some other great films such as Stand By Me or the "must see" A Bronx Tale.
I am not suggesting you avoid the film as it has some good qualities to look for in a film, such as Xander Berkeley's performance as a hard working war vet with strong principles, just don't expect it to transcend you for the next 90 minutes in to another world and with a story that will stay with you. Once the popcorn is gone, you probably will want more food rather than feel compelled to stay in your seat as you would with the aforementioned films.