Trucker (2008)

A trucker, leading a life free of depth and on the way to nowhere, is forced to make a decision about her aggressive loner 11-year-old son whom she openly deserted ten years previously.

Director:

James Mottern

Writer:

James Mottern

Stars:

Michelle Monaghan, Nathan Fillion, Benjamin Bratt

5 wins.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Michelle Monaghan	...	Diane Ford
Nathan Fillion	...	Runner
Benjamin Bratt	...	Len Bonner
Joey Lauren Adams	...	Jenny Bell
Jimmy Bennett	...	Peter
Bryce Johnson	...	Rick
Brandon Hanson	...	Tom
Maya McLaughlin	...	Molly
Ricky Ellison	...	Robert
Matthew Lawrence	...	Scott
Johnny Simmons	...	Teenager #1 (as Jonnie Simmons)
Stephen Sowan	...	Teenager #2
Dennis Hayden	...	Trucker
Mika Boorem	...	Young Woman
Franklin Dennis Jones	...	Jonnie

Storyline

Diane's free-wheeling life of drunken one-night-stands as a professional trucker hits a road block when Peter, her son, is dropped at her doorstep. Her former husband Len, whom she abandoned eleven years ago along with their new-born son, has cancer and no one else to turn to while he's in the hospital. Peter, resentful and wary, wants, even needs a mother who'll want him at this worrisome time but knows better than to expect this from Diane. With deliveries waiting and a mortgage to be paid, there's only one inevitable thing ahead for Diane and Peter - a road trip together.

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Plot Keywords:

trucker | one night stand | cancer | hospital | cigarette | 

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Genres:

Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for some sexuality, language, brief drug use involving minors, and a sexual assault

Details

Official Sites:

Official Fan Site

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

24 April 2008 (USA)

Also Known As:

O dromos tis epistrofis

Filming Locations:

Bloomington, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$2,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

$7,298 (USA) (9 October 2009)

Gross:

$52,166 (USA) (15 January 2010)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Plum Pictures, Hanson Allen Films, Hart-Lunsford Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

90 min

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Michelle Monaghan learned to drive a big rig for the film.

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Quotes

Diane Ford: Don't like to talk, huh?
Peter: I don't like to talk to bitches.
Diane Ford: Fair enough.

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Connections

Referenced in The Tonight Show with Jay Leno: Episode #20.4 (2011)

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Soundtracks

"Little Pink Mack"
Written by Chris Roberts, Jim Thornton, Scott Turner
Performed by Kay Adams

User Reviews

An interesting film but lacks something

Diane Ford (Michelle Monaghan), a vivacious and successful independent truck driver, leads a carefree life of long-haul trucking, one night stands and all-night drinking with Runner (Nathan Fillion) until the evening her estranged 11-year-old son, Peter (Jimmy Bennett) is unexpectedly dropped at her door due to his father's recent diagnosis of cancer. Peter hasn't seen his mother since he was a baby and wants to live with Diane as little as she wants him, but they are stuck with each other - at least for now, while his father Len (Benjamin Bratt) is in the hospital. Burdened with this new responsibility and seeing the life of freedom she's fought for now jeopardized, Diane steps reluctantly into her past and looks sidelong at an uncharted future that is not as simple or straightforward as she had once believed possible... Trucker is essentially a character study of this woman, Diane, who's a bit of lone wolf but is forced to change her life and behavior in order to be something she doesn't quite know how to be, a parental figure, a mother. Despite her initial struggle, Diane's maternal instincts do kick in at some point as she gets closer to her son, and she also comes to certain realizations regarding her love life and general lifestyle. Trucker's cinematography is great and the soundtrack (composed mainly by country music) is very fitting. Michelle Monaghan was great as Diane and this was probably the most challenging role of her career so far. With no make up and stripped of most of her femininity, Monaghan really did personified this tough woman, alienated from society who's life has taken a toll from being constantly on the road with no real connection, no real relationships. Nathan Fillion did a good job too, giving a tender and genuine performance. Jimmy Bennett, the kid, was pretty good as well. Overall I enjoyed Trucker but I do think the film lacks a little something, I'm not sure if it's development, or if the film is too predictable but there's something missing here. Obviously, films about small town life are usually not very eventful and that's why Trucker relies so much on the acting and on its cinematography but I think the film needed something more. Having said that, Trucker is a pleasant surprise and a very promising debut by director James Mottern.

7/10