Made in U.S.A. (1987)

Director:

Ken Friedman

Writers (WGA):

Zbigniew Kempinski (story) &
Nick Wechsler (story) ...

Release Date:

March 1988 (USA)

Genre:

Drama

Tagline:

They hit the road in search of thrills and excitement... They got more than they bargained for...

Plot:

Two men from Pennsylvania give up hope in their small run down coal mining town, and head off in search of the beaches of California...

Plot Keywords:

Road | Independent Film

Awards:

1 nomination

Cast

Judith Baldwin	...	Dorie
Lori Singer	...	Annie
Marji Martin	...	Ma Frazier
Adrian Pasdar	...	Dar
Chris Penn	...	Tuck
Tiny Wells	...	Pa Frazier
Jacqueline Murphy	...	Cora
Frank Beddor	...	Bud
Marie Antoinette Bresadola	...	Waitress
Mark Carlton	...	Ford Salesman
Scott Casey	...	Redneck in Gas Station
Pete Concha	...	Elderly Indian
Lionel Croll	...	Garage Owner
Cindi Dietrich	...	Girl in Trans-Am
Anthony Duran	...	Lonny

Runtime:

82 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Iceland:12 | USA:R

Filming Locations:

Acoma, New Mexico, USA

Company:

Hemdale Film

Soundtrack:

Old Blue Car

an 80's cult road movie

Like most people I saw this movie by accident. I then hunted down a copy on VHS and found it in a bargain bin at my local Blockbuster. This film gets better on repeat viewing. As a fan of road movies this film is an unappreciated little gem. Like other lost films of the 80's, like Miracle Mile, I hope a DVD will be released eventually. Why is it worth checking out? 1. It stars the late, great Chris Penn and 80's bad boy Adrian Pasdar, of another 80,s cult classic, Near Dark ,fame. 2. The sound track arranged by Sonic Youth, inc. tracks by Timbuk 3 and World Party, like any good road movie ,is excellent, e.g. Wild At Heart and Easy Rider. 3.What makes this different, unlike most road movies, is that it shows the America not of wonderful scenery and natural beauty but of ecological and economic decline during the era of Reagonomics. 4. The cinema-photography is extremely powerful, showing us a normally unseen side of the American landscape. 5.With its unsympathetic characters, on the road, looking for redemption in one form or another,the film is a nod to Easy Rider. But this being the 80's they travel by stealing cars or trucks, pass through ecological disaster areas and the goal of their quest is a beach babe in a surfing magazine. The possible reason for the film's disappearance? 1.Lori Singer. Lori Singer. Lori Singer.Oh ,dear remember her? a flaky character played by Miss Kooky 1988. 2. The wolf.This story thread just does not make any sense at all. All cult films must have some moments of imperfection. But for it's bravery in going against the grain in the era of Rambo it deserves some recognition.