Gas Food Lodging (1992)

A waitress lives with her two teen daughters in a trailer park in New Mexico. They all want a boyfriend.

Director:

Allison Anders

Writers:

Allison Anders (screenplay by), Richard Peck (based on the novel "Don't Look and It Won't Hurt" by)

Stars:

Brooke Adams, Ione Skye, Fairuza Balk

4 wins & 6 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Brooke Adams	...	Nora
Ione Skye	...	Trudi
Fairuza Balk	...	Shade
James Brolin	...	John Evans
Robert Knepper	...	Dank
David Lansbury	...	Hamlet (as David Landsbury)
Jacob Vargas	...	Javier
Donovan Leitch Jr.	...	Darius (as Donovan Leitch)
Chris Mulkey	...	Raymond
Laurie O'Brien	...	Thelma
Julie Condra	...	Tanya
Adam Biesk	...	Brett
Leigh Hamilton	...	Kim
Diane Behrens	...	Hostess
J. Mascis	...	Cecil (as J Mascis)

Storyline

In the boring desert of New Mexico, a single mother raises her two teenage daughters, Shade and Trudi, whose deepest desire is to leave the dead calm town. Shade is the type to escape in her extravagant fantasies while Trudi is so rebelious it could drive her away.

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Plot Keywords:

single mother | trailer | waitress | trailer park | truck stop | 

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Taglines:

When Shade's good, she's very good. But when Trudi's bad, she's better.

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Genres:

Drama | Romance

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Certificate:

R

Did You Know?

Trivia

The letter telling Nora about Trudi's absences from school gives the name of the school principal as Allison Anders, the director of the film.

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Goofs

When Shade plays an album on Darius' phonograph, the song that plays with auto-cue is not the first track on that album. It's the second track.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Shade: [voice-over] If it weren't for Elvia Rivero, this story wouldn't even be worth telling. Whenever Elvia came to this little town, well, it's like she woke the place up. My home town, Laramie New Mexico, it came alive. Elvia Rivero was the one who made me laugh when I needed to laugh. She made me cry when no one was looking. But most of all, Elvia was able to put into to words what I was thinking.It was Elvia who first gave me the idea. It was decided then and there, I knew what was ...

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Connections

Referenced in Swimming with Sharks (1994)

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Soundtracks

Thunder
Written and Performed by Renegade Soundwave

User Reviews

Brooke Adams and Fairuza Balk....

I admit I am biased- I have always loved Ms. Adams since "The Dead Zone"...Stephen King at his earliest, and best.

This film is quirky and interesting. It is one of the few actually worth buying on DVD. Not just for the performances, which are excellent, by the way.

The visuals are noteworthy. New Mexico, the Southwest; a visual palette reminiscent of the artist Georgia O'Keefe. Beautiful photography, and a dysfunctional family trying to survive- two young girls living with their disillusioned mother.

This film addresses a niche which is not mainstream, but real...disappointed Americans living and working , trying their best, yet opposed by the realities. This film deserves 10/10- a must see.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English Spanish

Release Date:

10 July 1992 (USA)

Also Known As:

Gas Food Lodging

Filming Locations:

Sunn Cinema,113 E. Pine Street, Deming, NM 88030, USA

Box Office

Gross USA:

$1,342,613

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$1,342,613

Company Credits

Production Co:

Cineville

Technical Specs

Runtime:

101 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1