Roadracers (1994) (TV)

Director:

Robert Rodriguez

Writers (WGA):

Robert Rodriguez (written by) &
Tommy Nix (written by)

Release Date:

22 July 1994 (USA)

Genre:

Drama

Plot:

Cynical look at a 50's rebellious Rocker who has to confront his future, thugs with knives, and the crooked town sheriff. |

Plot Keywords:

Rock Music | 1950s | Juvenile Delinquent | Rivalry | Automobile Racing

Awards:

1 nomination

Cast

David Arquette	...	Dude Delaney
John Hawkes	...	Nixer
Salma Hayek	...	Donna
Jason Wiles	...	Teddy Leather
William Sadler	...	Sarge
O'Neal Compton	...	J.T.
Christian Klemash	...	Crony 1
Aaron Vaughn	...	Crony 2
Tammy Brady Conrad	...	Julie
Mark Lowenthal	...	Rookie
Karen Landry	...	Donna's Mom
Lance LeGault	...	Donna's Dad (as Lance Le Gault)
Tommy Nix	...	Drummer
Gina Mari	...	Wanda
Boti Bliss	...	Julie's Friend

Also Known As:

Rebel Highway

MPAA:

Rated R for language and some violence.

Runtime:

95 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Certification:

Spain:18 | UK:15 | USA:R

Company:

Spelling Films International

Trivia:

Shot entirely in 13 days.

Quotes:

Sarge: J.T., don't be giving that punk any special treatment. This here's a business. Now you run it like a business, or you'll be out of business faster than you can spell 'health department'.
J.T.: Feeding people's my business, Sarge. And keeping the punks in line is your business. So why don't we mind our own business, what'd'ya say?
Nixer: You tell 'im, J.T.
J.T.: You shut up.
Nixer: All right.

Movie Connections:

References Roadracers (1959)

Soundtrack:

Race with the Devil

A very entertaining quickie TV movie with a strong performance from David Arquette.

For a quickie TV movie 'Roadracers' is a hell of a lot of fun. Robert Rodriguez made this homage to AIP in between his astonishing low budget debut 'El Mariachi' and its disappointing sequel 'Desperado'. David Arquette's performance really makes this one work. I often find Arquette's stoner characters to be irritating but he's quite different here, and really good. His greaser character Buddy must decide between playing guitar in a rock'n'roll band or playing the hand destiny has dealt him in a small town that despises him. Rodgriguez regular Salma Hayek plays Arquette's girlfriend, and his geeky best friend who is obsessed with 'Invasion Of The Body Snatchers' is played by John Hawkes who you will probably remember from the opening sequence of 'From Dusk Til Dawn'. And then there's William Sadler as the sheriff who detests Buddy. Sadler's always good no matter what he's in. I can't argue that this is a great movie but it is a very entertaining one, and worth tracking down.