An ex race car driver hurries 1200 miles home in a 1970 Challenger when his wife has labor problems. Cops in several states try to stop him - initially for speeding.
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Title: Vanishing Point (TV Movie 1997)
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| Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
| Viggo Mortensen | ... | Jimmy Kowalski | |
| Christine Elise | ... | Raphinia Kowalski | |
| Steve Railsback | ... | Sergeant Preston | |
| Rodney A. Grant | ... | Vision Quest Indian | |
| Peter Murnik | ... | Gilmore | |
| James MacDonald | ... | Asst. F.B.I. Agent (as James G. MacDonald) | |
| Paul Benjamin | ... | Mose, Snake Wrangler | |
| Geno Silva | ... | Mike Mas | |
| John Doe | ... | Sammy | |
| Peta Wilson | ... | Motorcycle girl | |
| Keith David | ... | Warren Taft | |
| Jason Priestley | ... | The Voice | |
| Debra Sharkey | ... | Producer | |
 |
Ari Barak | ... | Dr. Nazrin |
|
|
Frank Roman | ... | Hernando |
When his wife goes into a troubled labor while he is on the road over 1200 miles away James Kowalski, a former race-car driver and Army Ranger, attempts to elude police while trying to get home. After numerous chases, he turns into a aboriginal American reservation and reflects on his life, and his wife. He then heads off to break through an impenetrable police and F.B.I. road-block. Written by Kale Whorton <nikko11@mind.net>
Much has said about the wonderful, original "Vanishing Point"; I finally got to see the TV remake of the 1970 classic...and it was a shame. The original had Barry Newman, who somehow had the unique talent to come across as a guy who'd 'been there and done that'...and survived it all with wit, humor, and integrity as well as fantastic driving skills.
The bozo in this tepid rehash looks like he'd be out of his weight battling a soggy airmail envelope. Most of the time, while driving, he looks as if he's a 12-year-old punk out joyriding his older brother's car...and about to lose control of it, at that.
Even the little technical details were goofy beyond reason. "Jimmy" Kowalski managed to buy a police radio scanner, and somehow it doesn't need an antenna to receive signals. Better yet, since it's a crystal-controlled radio, 'magic crystals' cut for the correct radio frequencies used by cops in FOUR STATES somehow magically install themselves during the asphalt festivities. Better yet, the radio doesn't even stop scanning when a transmission is received!!!
Kowalski was supposed to be a former Army Ranger, and at one point he's in uniform, in front of a Captain who's dressing him down for his being an 'individual'. He's wearing a pair of army jump-wings, which means he's an Airborne Ranger (I guess), but no Combat Infantry Badge, despite being a decorated combat veteran. Interesting.
In short, the numerous flaws of this movie far outweigh its virtues.
On the other hand, the southwestern U.S. looked as lovely as it does in real life. Some nice footage of the area's scenic beauty was most welcome.
They made the point...several times...during this flick that Kowalski wasn't a hero...just an 'ordinary guy' involved in 'extraordinary events'. Well, the REAL Kowalski (Newman) in the original was an extraordinary guy performing extraordinary feats. The big mistake here was trying to give us too much backstory on the mysterious and intrepid Mr. K, instead of letting us fill in the details ourselves.
If you want to see a true American classic...a unique snapshot of early 1970s America, as it were, stay away from this T.V. travesty and watch the original instead.