Switchback (1997)

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

Director:

Jeb Stuart

Writer:

Jeb Stuart

Stars:

Danny Glover, Dennis Quaid, Claudia Stedelin

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Claudia Stedelin	...	Missy, the Babysitter
Ian 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

Storyline

F.B.I. agent Frank LaCrosse returns home to find his home has been broken into, his son is missing and Missy the babysitter is lying in a pool of her own insides. Her murder being the hallmarks of a elusive enigmatic serial killer whose slaughter spree...stretches nearly two years. Frank's desperate pursuit leads to Amarillo, Texas, where two more victims matching the killers M.O. have been found slashed to death. As Frank searches for his suspect the local Sheriff Buck Olmstead and his Deputy Nate Booker investigate the killings in-between a heated election feud, with his competition police chief Jack McGinnis. All the while drifting former doctor Lane Dixon is picked up by ex-railroad man, Bob Goodall. As a local Mechanic, Clyde 'Shorty' Callahan becomes the latest victim. Frank hopes and prays to find this sociopath before he disappears perhaps forever into the rocky mountains

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Plot Keywords:

african american | framed for murder | villain | car accident | fbi agent | 

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Taglines:

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

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Genres:

Crime | Mystery | Thriller

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

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

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

31 October 1997 (USA)

Also Known As:

Going West

Filming Locations:

Redcliff, Colorado, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$37,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$2,704,568, 2 November 1997, Wide Release

Gross USA:

$6,482,195, 14 December 1997

Company Credits

Production Co:

Pacific Western,Paramount Pictures,Rysher Entertainment

Technical Specs

Runtime:

118 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

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

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Goofs

In several scenes, squealing tires are heard from a car skidding on a snow-packed road. Tires do not squeal on snow.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Missy, the Babysitter: Whoo! There. Your folks are going to be home soon, and they're going to get me if they see you're still up.

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Connections

Featured in Siskel & Ebert: Red Corner/Critical Care/Switchback/Family Name (1997)

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Soundtracks

Turn Me to Love
Written by Wayland Holyfield and Norro Wilson
Performed by Keith Whitley
Courtesy of The RCA Records label of BMG Entertainment

User Reviews

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.