Switchback (1997)

Director:

Jeb Stuart

Writer (WGA):

Jeb Stuart (written by)

Release Date:

31 October 1997 (USA)

Genre:

Action | Mystery | Thriller

Tagline:

The hunter is tracking the killer. But the killer is setting the trap.

Plot:

FBI agent Dennis Quaid tries to catch a serial killer who kidnapped his son.

Plot Keywords:

Serial Killer | Bare Chested Male | Train | Twist In The End

Cast

Claudia Stedelin	...	Missy, the Babysitter
Ian Blake Nelson	...	Andy LaCrosse
Brent Hinkley	...	Man on Porch
R. Lee Ermey	...	Sheriff Buck Olmstead
Walton Goggins	...	Bud (as Walt Goggins)
Ted Levine	...	Deputy Nate Booker
Louis Schaefer	...	Sim
William Fichtner	...	Chief Jack McGinnis
Jared Leto	...	Lane Dixon
Robert L. Somers	...	Rancher
Lexie Stuart	...	Ranchers Daughter
Danny Glover	...	Bob Goodall
Ted Markland	...	Bartender
Gregory Scott Cummins	...	Rick
Tommy Puett	...	Ben

Also Known As:

Going West (USA) (working title)
Going West in America (USA) (working title)
Zig Zag (USA) (TV title)

MPAA:

Rated R for strong violence and several views of nude pin-ups.

Runtime:

118 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

Australia:M | Singapore:NC-16 | Iceland:14 (original rating) | Iceland:16 (video rating) | South Korea:15 | Finland:K-16 | France:U | Germany:16 | Mexico:B | Netherlands:16 (video premiere) | Portugal:M/16 (video premiere) | Spain:18 | UK:15 (video premiere) | USA:R (certificate #34897)

Filming Locations:

Colorado, USA

Company:

Pacific Western

Trivia:

According to an interview with Jeb Stuart in Premiere magazine, he had originally intended to make this movie back in the early 1980's under the title 'Going West in America', with Sidney Poitier, Robert Duvall, and Kevin Bacon in the three main roles.

Goofs:

Factual errors: In 1997 the Colorado State Patrol used a new fleet of silver/blue Chevrolet Cameros, silver/blue Ford Explorers and silver/blue Ford Crown Victorias, not the white Fords that movie shows.

Quotes:

Sheriff Buck Olmstead: He told the truth, and once you tell the truth, everything else is just cheap whiskey.

Movie Connections:

Remake of Kidnapped (1994)

Hokey, But Intense Man's Movie

Wow, this is an intense story that should keep you interested for the full two hours. The five main roles are all men and they are pretty interesting, led by Danny Glover's character, who is very, very creepy.

I'm hesitant to say much about this film for fear of giving anything away for those who have not seen it. Suffice to say its a rough movie in regards to language, violence and general attitude but the story grabs you quickly and is tough to put down once you are into it.

One complaint I read said this film never made it big because it was too convoluted a storyline. In fact, the story isn't really pieced together until the last few minutes. Well, a lot of films over the years were like that (Charlie Chan and Sherlock Holmes mysteries, just to name two) and no one complained.

The fact that FBI agent Dennis Quaid would figure things out to the exact minute does stretch credibility so don't look for a film that makes a lot of sense: it's simply a very tense thriller that entertains, so it serves its purpose.

Lee Ermey, the fanatical drill sergeant in Full Metal Jacket, also is fun to watch in here. Jared Leto and Ted Levine also contribute nicely. It's a man's film, for the most part and an effective diversion for two hours.