Interstate Movie Review, Film Still and Poster

U.S. 2006
Director: Marc-Andre Samson
Cast: Shiloh Fernandez, Alexandra Ackerman, Jodi Stanford, Walter Peña, Chase Mallen
Rating:
Release Date: May 28th 2008
Running Time: 1 hour 19 minutes 59 secs

Review of the Movie

Interstate film still 1


INTERSTATE
Storyline:
Cast:
Ending:
Overall:

What's your biggest fear in driving a car through a long distance road? Many things I suppose, but I'm sure experiencing car broke down is pretty much on the top list. Be it either because of running out of gas, flat tire or what-is-wrong-with-the-machine fiasco. Unless you're a one tough mechanic probably. What's even worse, is when you have to hitch-hike, this is where things are getting a bit tricky, no one wants to pick you up cause they're afraid you might be some psycho or you fear that you yourself might get picked up by a lunatic. Tough call I'll say. It's still better though, instead of bump into creepy people. That is perhaps what Interstate trying to convey to you, to bring the thrill through its storyline, but could Interstate succeed in doing so?

Interstate is a thriller movie revolves around a young man named Edgar who's driving with his girlfriend Chloé from Montreal, Canada to Los Angeles, U.S. to enter an audition for a sit-com. In the middle of nowhere near Missouri, their car broke down. And since Edgar (Shiloh Fernandez) is no mechanic, they had to left their car although finally he could get Chloé to go by herself to L.A. So now Edgar is left alone and has to find a way to follow her. Tough day for Edgar and boy does he have some very bad luck. That is until he meets the siblings in one of the diners there, Veronica (Alexandra Ackerman) and Gloria (Jodi Stanford). Normally, this would be an oasis for the tired mind, but they start to show strange behavior. And what is more disturbing is they know about bad thing that happen to Edgar before. Who are they really? And what is their intention to Edgar?

I have to stop it right there, otherwise it might be a sure spoiler. And we do not want that, because I sincerely do not want to diminish any possible thrill. Why? Simple reasoning, because Interstate doesn't have much to offer. At some scenes particularly concerning conversation between Edgar and Veronica at a motel is truly annoying. How could a big city boy, a DJ from Montreal (Edgar) think so highly illogical like that, I almost couldn't help to turn off the video. That's such a loss, because in essence, the story with the twist in Interstate is pretty interesting, but the pace keeps drag on 'n on until I even lost interest in finding the reasons behind Veronica and Gloria's act. And when Interstate reaches its finale, boy oh boy does that ending really disappointing. Really abrupt, not tragic, not happy, not dramatic and moreover it's abrupt. It's as if suddenly all the filmmakers and actors of Interstate suddenly think out of the blue, "okay, let's just end this".

Those hoping to find some excessive violence and/or gratuitous nudity would be in for some disappointment. Although it's not a bad thing that Interstate doesn't have all of those shock elements. This film sure has a mystery on its storyline and it makes a good use of lighting. In a nutshell, Interstate has the look but not the essence. The acting quality of the cast is not something redeeming as well. Shiloh Fernandez most of the time only shout and yell and panic, while Alexandra Ackerman seems could only flirt. It's Jodi Stanford that stands out, even though she's not 'standing' too tall, but she is convincing, especially on a scene with a gun in her hand.

All in all, Interstate doesn't have much thrill, or excitement and it even doesn't excel in the drama department. You might want to rent this if you have experienced hitch-hiking and met some crazy people, only to relive your memory.