This is MY kind of movie. Limited cast (two guys, with the occasional passer-by), limited setting (filmed in the expanses of Death Valley, but primarily takes place around their broken-down truck).
I thought Scenic Route was well-acted, though the characters portrayed, especially in their initial conflicts, were probably the weakest and least interesting parts of the whole thing. So, this story jumps in head-first, and promptly grinds to a halt with petty bickering between two lifelong friends, whose lives (and ideals) have gone in opposite directions. I will admit as the story and characters unfold, it adds a bit more depth, as well as piquing my interest more.
Carter (Dan Fogler, who I've never seen in a serious role) and Mitchell (Josh Duhamel) are traveling cross-country in Carter's 30-year old Ford pickup (which doubles as his home), hoping to re-connect as friends. Only to Carter's dismay, things don't go as planned.
So he takes the "scenic route," while Mitchell naps. Then the truck "conveniently" breaks down in the middle of the desert, as Carter hopes to get some one-on-one time with Mitchell, and give him an earful as to what extent he feels his life has strayed. Things get, let's say, heated.
The coda to the rescue sends up a couple red flags, still, I didn't see where they were going. First, this rescue was real convenient, even a little lazy, and things are resolved on the sugary side.
Even with all that being said, I thought the resolution and twist made this whole movie. I see a lot of people feel differently. Ah, well.
Note the scores! A high user score (for this type of movie), and a critic's score down in the red. That spells future cult classic.
Overall, a good character study/survival thriller, with a nice twist (that is, if you don't see it coming straight at you).
I thought Scenic Route was well-acted, though the characters portrayed, especially in their initial conflicts, were probably the weakest and least interesting parts of the whole thing. So, this story jumps in head-first, and promptly grinds to a halt with petty bickering between two lifelong friends, whose lives (and ideals) have gone in opposite directions. I will admit as the story and characters unfold, it adds a bit more depth, as well as piquing my interest more.
Carter (Dan Fogler, who I've never seen in a serious role) and Mitchell (Josh Duhamel) are traveling cross-country in Carter's 30-year old Ford pickup (which doubles as his home), hoping to re-connect as friends. Only to Carter's dismay, things don't go as planned.
So he takes the "scenic route," while Mitchell naps. Then the truck "conveniently" breaks down in the middle of the desert, as Carter hopes to get some one-on-one time with Mitchell, and give him an earful as to what extent he feels his life has strayed. Things get, let's say, heated.
The coda to the rescue sends up a couple red flags, still, I didn't see where they were going. First, this rescue was real convenient, even a little lazy, and things are resolved on the sugary side.
Even with all that being said, I thought the resolution and twist made this whole movie. I see a lot of people feel differently. Ah, well.
Note the scores! A high user score (for this type of movie), and a critic's score down in the red. That spells future cult classic.
Overall, a good character study/survival thriller, with a nice twist (that is, if you don't see it coming straight at you).