Switchback comes very close to being a very good movie. The plot revolves around that standard 90s character, the serial killer. But Switchback puts an interesting spin on the story by simultaneously weaving three distinct plot threads through the movie. The first follows a hotly contested election for sheriff in one of the towns where the killer strikes. The second is the manhunt by a rogue FBI agent of his elusive quarry, the killer. The agent has special interest in the case in that the killer has also kidnapped the agent's young son. The third is a cross country car trip by a retired railroad man and a young medical school dropout hitchhiker who just happens to be in every locale the murderer strikes.
The filmmakers almost pull it off. On-location shooting of the Mountain West in winter is extremely effective. The supporting cast is great and believable. If the story didn't have so many plot-holes and stupidisms (the killer's identity is revealed way too early). And if Dennis Quaid had turned in a decent performance as the FBI agent (he's pretty bad). Well, this movie could have been a very good, and suspenseful movie.
As it is it's not bad, and I give it a C+. What annoys me is that it had so much potential, and it was wasted.
The filmmakers almost pull it off. On-location shooting of the Mountain West in winter is extremely effective. The supporting cast is great and believable. If the story didn't have so many plot-holes and stupidisms (the killer's identity is revealed way too early). And if Dennis Quaid had turned in a decent performance as the FBI agent (he's pretty bad). Well, this movie could have been a very good, and suspenseful movie.
As it is it's not bad, and I give it a C+. What annoys me is that it had so much potential, and it was wasted.