Highway (2002/I)

User Rating:

5.9/10   

Director:

James Cox

Writer (WGA):

Scott Rosenberg (written by)

Genre:

Crime | Drama

Tagline:

It started as a desperate escape and became the wildest ride of their lives.

Plot:

Jack is caught with the wife of his employer, a Vegas thug. The thug sends goons after Jack, who convinces his best friend...

Plot Keywords:

Fugitive | Mobster | Body Painting | Female Nudity | Homosexual Subtext

Awards:

6 nominations

Cast

Jared Leto	...	Jack Hayes
Jake Gyllenhaal	...	Pilot Kelson
Selma Blair	...	Cassie
John C. McGinley	...	Johnny the Fox
Jeremy Piven	...	Scawldy
Kimberley Kates	...	Jilly Miranda
Arden Myrin	...	Lucy
Mark Rolston	...	Burt Miranda
Jarret Thomas	...	Kid #1
Stephen Shellen	...	Clark Hayes
Matthew Davis	...	Booty
Madeline Parquette	...	Pilot's Mom
George Spielvogel III	...	Boneman
Sean Dalgarn	...	Softboy (as Sean Michael Dalgarn)
M.C. Gainey	...	Steven

Also Known As:

A Leonard Cohen Afterworld (USA) (working title)
Trip (USA) (working title)

MPAA:

Rated R for strong sexuality, drug content, violence and language.

Runtime:

97 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

Iceland:16 | Finland:K-15 (video premiere) | USA:R | UK:18 | Australia:MA (cable rating)

Filming Locations:

International Fountain, Seattle Center, Seattle, Washington, USA

Company:

Alex Entertainment Inc.

Goofs:

Anachronisms: A URL is painted on the side of a parked trailer. It's partially blanked out in one shot but visible from another camera angle. No company would have been advertising a web site in 1994.

Quotes:

Pilot Kelson: So, it was cool, you know? I told her about my troubles and she was like, 'sexual confusion's a tricky thing'. Sexual confusion? I mean, easy on the sexual confusion tip, baby. You make me sound like a guy in a raincoat with a fistful of vaseline, you know?
[laughs]
Pilot Kelson: Sexual confusion... I mean, you don't think I have sexual confusion, do you...?

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Be Kind Rewind (2008)

Soundtrack:

Lazy Bones

A step away from ordinary...

There are a few things you have to keep in mind when watching a film like this, where the director's vision is a bizarre, artistic twist on a certain demographic, in this case, outer-Vegas trailer-trash. First off, he is showing some incredible chemistry between two unique characters, who are actually really fascinating people (Leto & Gyllenhaal). Secondly, whoever made a post about this film not holding itself together needs to take a step back for a second. As a film production major, I look for different styles and techniques while watching films. So maybe I just notice the cool little things that the Director does more.... or maybe some people just can't get past the bizarre story. I think this film was designed to take the viewer on a ride that many of them have not been on. The RAVE scenes where intense, and beautifully filmed. The visit to see the Dand-E-fine girls is classic. Gyllenhaal pulls off one of the most convincing stoners ever on film, and the kid is just - the man. Leto is brilliant in anything he ever has or ever will be in, the man is incredibly talented, and this project is no different. Blair does her job, she fits the part... not a huge fan, but it's certainly not a big enough deal to take anything away from the film, on any level. Jeremy Piven is a GOD. PERIOD. He delivers one of the best monologues in recent memory. John C. McGinley is always a nice addition to any movie. So with all these cool things to say about this little indie film, how come everyone doesn't agree? Maybe we weren't looking for the same thing when we watched it. But isn't that the case a lot of the time? Then why bad-mouth this film? They're being petty, that's why. Listen, I think that any film that serves its purpose and entertains should be given a chance... it's a cool little bizarre film. Enjoy.