Bloodtype Online
For the best of the Horror/Cult/Exploitation film experience
Freeway (1996)
"Freeway" is another one of those movies that is "on the fence" as far as it getting a review from the site. Since it is very close to being an exploitation film and the fact that it is a great movie, I decided it fit Bloodtype's criteria and deserved a write up. The film was made in 1996 and supports a hell of a cast. Many of which were young and up and coming actors including star Reese Witherspoon, Brittany Murphy and Bokeem Woodbine. The film also stars such names as Keifer Sutherland, Dan Hedeya, Amanda Plummer and Brooke Shields. The director and writer of the story is Matthew Bright who does a hell of a job putting together this lesser known gem.
The story follows Vanessa Lutz (Witherspoon), an illiterate teenage girl whose home life isn't exactly provided from the normal everyday nuclear family. Vanessa's mother (Plummer) is a prostitute and crack addict and her stepfather (portrayed by television's "Pretender" star Michael T. Weiss) is also an abusive weed smoking nutcase. At the outset of the film Vanessa's mother and stepfather are arrested and taken off to jail. A social worker comes to take Vanessa away and is outsmarted by the juvenile delinquent as she is handcuffed to a bedpost. Vanessa takes off in her mother's beat up station wagon and the real fun begins. The underlying theme of the story is loosely based on "Little Red Riding Hood" as Vanessa's destination is her grandmother's house. Along the way her car breaks down and she is picked up by Bob Wolverton (Sutherland) who can be considered the big bad wolf of the story.
It turns out that Bob is a serial killer and pedophile and that Vanessa has fallen right into his lap so to speak. Vanessa is no push over, though, and she turns the tables on Bob. This film is a showcase of Reese Witherspoon's acting prowess. In one of her first leading roles she really steals this film. She portrays Vanessa in such a way that the audience cannot help but fall in love with her. She is such a great character. She doesn't take shit from anyone and is brutally honest about everything. She doesn't let her negative upbringing or faults such as not being able to read get in her way. On the other hand, Keifer Sutherland as Bob Wolverton also does his part. The scene after Bob picks Vanessa up and the following conversation they disperse in the car is very memorable. Something happens to Bob that messes him up really bad. Throughout the rest of the film, Sutherland steals a lot of scenes with his disfigured face and electronically enhanced speech.
This film is highly recommended from this author for those readers who have yet to see it or who maybe have never even heard of it. I saw it for the first time on HBO one night in the late 90's. I just so happened to catch it without knowing anything about it and it really blew me away. The story, the lead actors, the supporting cast and the direction that Matthew Bright gives the film makes it the very lesser know masterpiece that this film truly is. Most people will be able to instantly see why Reese Witherspoon has developed into the academy award winning actress that she's become. Especially considering that this is some of her first work. The film is on deepdiscount.com for under $7.00 for those of you who collect DVD's. It is more than worth it. For those who don't I still highly advise that it is worth your next rent.
Rating - ***1/2
-Jared Bajoras
