I think I would have liked this one too, but then again, I saw 'back to the future' with my dad. Seeing interstate 60 with my dad would probably make me squirm even now..there are a couple of scenes that deal with adult sexual situations that just wouldn't be right for a 14 year old and his dad. Who is this movie for? I have an friend, an ex-roomate, that is 36 but acts like I did when I was 14, he would think this movie was stupid. I have a 7 year old son who would probably think the green smoke effect was cool, and might even think that James Marsden is a pretty good actor. He might enjoy Gary Oldman's character too, but that's only because he never saw 'The professional', or 'jesus', or 'true romance', or even 'the fifth element'. I had a co-worker who though that 'escape from new york' was the best movie ever made..he might like this movie, but not as much as his favorite.
166 Reviews
a fab flick!
harry-mears6 November 2005
Warning: Spoilers
Well, what to say about this film? boy has no faith in the future, has an adventure, gets faith in the future, and it's a (sorry for getting a bit soppy here), a kinda lesson in life. The cast list is not the type you'd expect for a flick that hasn't been seen this side of the Atlantic in any format, Chris Cooper, Kurt Russell, Ann-Margret???? The extras tell a story of a film dogged by bankruptcy, narrow-minded exec's, no distributors, and yet I still got to see it at a mate's house one night, and it really hit the spot! watch it, make your own mind up, and if you have the power, PLEASE release it in the UK, I tell you it really does have a market here, well that's my opinion anyway! oh, and i hope you don't read the first 2 lines and consider it a spoiler.......
Good, but should have been better
cmcole20 March 2005
I thought the movie was pretty good, but it could (and should) have been better. For one thing, it should have been a PG or PG-13 movie, without the occasional sex jokes and the totally distracting succession of F-bombs from about every character on screen. And I don't want to give it away, but the ending was pretty disappointing; it sort of seemed like it was written in a hurry. Other than that, I liked it. Chris Cooper's character was definitely the most interesting, but they all worked pretty well. On a low note, I was rather surprised to hear the characters say some of the idiotic things they said. It's amazing that the man who wrote the Back to the Future series has resorted to flatulence for humor. Not bad at all, but not great either.
Interesting mix of different scenes
idonotexist30 April 2004
So I saw this one on the shelf tonight and figured I would give it a chance, mostly due to it's very high imdb rating.
Well, sadly, I must say that while this movie has its really well made moments, for the most part is a waste of your time with time fillers and simply feels cartoonish. It is a made for television fairy take of sorts, since there isn't really any drama or emotion you would normally experience considering what the characters go through. Ever watched cartoons and laughed at how Tom gets thrown across the house and then he is back on track trying to catch the mouse? Same here. Our main character goes through all these weird events in the exact same fashion.
Then there are parts where I felt the movie makes it a point to make a satire of our society and does so perfectly (the man with the sign, the town of lawyers, the teen at the club and of course the whole 8 ball notion). Basically this movie is a mix of eccentric characters and corny scenes which make it fun and even thought provoking to a degree, however, there are so many time fillers and mundane scenes you might want to fast forward through some of them.
Overal a good one to watch, but I would not call it brilliant. Nowhere near that. Just average.
Well, sadly, I must say that while this movie has its really well made moments, for the most part is a waste of your time with time fillers and simply feels cartoonish. It is a made for television fairy take of sorts, since there isn't really any drama or emotion you would normally experience considering what the characters go through. Ever watched cartoons and laughed at how Tom gets thrown across the house and then he is back on track trying to catch the mouse? Same here. Our main character goes through all these weird events in the exact same fashion.
Then there are parts where I felt the movie makes it a point to make a satire of our society and does so perfectly (the man with the sign, the town of lawyers, the teen at the club and of course the whole 8 ball notion). Basically this movie is a mix of eccentric characters and corny scenes which make it fun and even thought provoking to a degree, however, there are so many time fillers and mundane scenes you might want to fast forward through some of them.
Overal a good one to watch, but I would not call it brilliant. Nowhere near that. Just average.
From the writer of Back to the Future....
paulorr214 December 2003
I had never heard of this movie before and as it came from the pen of the guy who wrote all the Back to the Future movies that made me wonder how good it could possibly be with no studio backing or production help. Bob Gale ended up writing and directing AND being a producer. No money there it seems. The story of Neil Oliver taking a job to deliver a package somewhere along a non-existent highway was a nice experience to see on DVD. I'm pretty sure it was never released for wide distribution as it lacked the requisite 20 car chases, 50 explosions and at least 5 full-on sex scenes that so many Americans expect and prefer to a well written story. By the way, I am an American so I can say that. And I prefer a story. This movie has a story and interesting characters. You don't see them for long which sometimes is a good thing. Gary Oldman is fun as the "wishbringer" who starts up the whole mess. There are several cameos which were a bit surprising to me. It's worth renting and for some worth buying.
Don't understand High Rating
jonkitedwards9 July 2022
Well aside from how utterly gorgeous James Marsden is, I'm not really sure there's much to offer here.
Feels very dated in a kind of 1980s way, but realise the film is actually amazingly 20 years old already.
All a bit too "fantasy" like for me, not "sci fi" like at all, which is how I came across it with my Amazon Prime "Free for me" filter.
May be it's aimed at kids in which case maybe it has some merit but it just left me cold (apart from James Marsden... did I mention that before? Lol).
Feels very dated in a kind of 1980s way, but realise the film is actually amazingly 20 years old already.
All a bit too "fantasy" like for me, not "sci fi" like at all, which is how I came across it with my Amazon Prime "Free for me" filter.
May be it's aimed at kids in which case maybe it has some merit but it just left me cold (apart from James Marsden... did I mention that before? Lol).
Does anyone know this film exists?
aldersconno9 September 2023
This film is odd. I had never knew of its existence until stumbling upon it on Amazon Prime and after seeing the cast of well-known actors (including the great Gary Oldman) I had to check it out. Even though the film is from 2002, the quality and acting makes it feel like it was filmed in the 80's or early 90's.
James Marsden does a decent job in his role and the short cameo from Michael J. Fox was funny but Gary Oldman feels tired and wasted in this and the rest of the cast is mediocre at best. The plot has an interesting premise but it's poorly executed and the film ends up being dull and boring. I started losing interest after 30mins but I wanted to see where the story was going. After 1 hour I had lost all interest and came here to write my review instead.
I can see why critics on RT never bothered with this one but I dont understand why the audience score is so highly rated. There are definitely way better comedy films than this to watch, this film needs to stay under the rader. Give this one a skip.
James Marsden does a decent job in his role and the short cameo from Michael J. Fox was funny but Gary Oldman feels tired and wasted in this and the rest of the cast is mediocre at best. The plot has an interesting premise but it's poorly executed and the film ends up being dull and boring. I started losing interest after 30mins but I wanted to see where the story was going. After 1 hour I had lost all interest and came here to write my review instead.
I can see why critics on RT never bothered with this one but I dont understand why the audience score is so highly rated. There are definitely way better comedy films than this to watch, this film needs to stay under the rader. Give this one a skip.
Thought it was a TV movie
jonsjunk-22 January 2018
This is one of those cases where I honestly wonder if I and all the positive reviewers saw the same movie. This is no hidden gem, more like the rightfully buried turd that it is. It's a coming of age road story that can't decide whether to be edgy in order to appeal to its college-aged targets, or a juvenile fairy tale to bank on the childhood nostalgia of same. It fails in both regards. On top of that, any sort of "life lessons" and moralizing it offers are so cliche'd, trite and shambling that it borders on insulting the viewer. This is a DVD that will end up under the Christmas tree of college-aged kids whose parents are extremely out of touch. Look for it a thrift store or Walmart clearance bin near you.
not bad enough to be good
botfeeder18 February 2019
What a dreadful movie. But not so dreadful as to be "so bad it's good".
A bunch of incoherent shallow "wisdom" of various sorts thrown at us throughout the movie. Mostly utterly cliché topics such as overbearing materialistic parents oblivious to their child yearning for meaning in life, and people joining cult that gives them a superficial bliss while turning them into zombies.
The acting was lousy through and through. The story was filled with the above clichés as well as a lot of stuff that seemed totally pointless. If I could make an analogy between drama and comedy, it reminds me of when I observe some odd situation and think "I bet there's a good joke in there if I could just figure out what it is". Here there are a lot of story fragments that seem like the writer realized he/she had some scenes that one could say "I bet there's some good drama in there if I could just figure out what it is. But he/she did not figure out, yet went ahead and just threw all these semi-ideas out there like a bowl of half-cooked goulash.
A bunch of incoherent shallow "wisdom" of various sorts thrown at us throughout the movie. Mostly utterly cliché topics such as overbearing materialistic parents oblivious to their child yearning for meaning in life, and people joining cult that gives them a superficial bliss while turning them into zombies.
The acting was lousy through and through. The story was filled with the above clichés as well as a lot of stuff that seemed totally pointless. If I could make an analogy between drama and comedy, it reminds me of when I observe some odd situation and think "I bet there's a good joke in there if I could just figure out what it is". Here there are a lot of story fragments that seem like the writer realized he/she had some scenes that one could say "I bet there's some good drama in there if I could just figure out what it is. But he/she did not figure out, yet went ahead and just threw all these semi-ideas out there like a bowl of half-cooked goulash.
A Dull Bag of Tricks
MikeyB179316 September 2011
Warning: Spoilers
This is a fantasy road type movie that takes place on a highway laden with a bag of tricks. It tries hard, but comes off as fluffy and hollow. There are some neat skits like the drug town and the lawyer town - but others were simply too cliché – the overly tiresome ads of his fairyland girlfriend for instance.
The main problem is James Marsden – who attempts to be the lead character. Yes the script is pretty banal – but to be blunt, Marsden makes the movie boring – he exudes little character and energy. He's just a pretty face like the billboard ads he keeps gawking at.
This movie is worth a peak on a dull night, but that's about it.
The main problem is James Marsden – who attempts to be the lead character. Yes the script is pretty banal – but to be blunt, Marsden makes the movie boring – he exudes little character and energy. He's just a pretty face like the billboard ads he keeps gawking at.
This movie is worth a peak on a dull night, but that's about it.
Ad More Than Odyssey !
elshikh424 January 2009
Warning: Spoilers
I powerfully guess that after watching this, you had some great feelings. However, after a while, it might fade away from your memory. MAN, it was about making one of the most thoughtful films and entertaining movies in the same time.. But sure, something got in the way!
Originally, it is such a modern odyssey into the contemporary America, with all the lessons of this boy's trip; to learn about life and himself, to make the hardest decision, and choose what he really wants to be. Plus all the crazy sarcasm out of his very society as well (it's the interstate after all), showing a philosophical reading of life in general, through what could be a comic fantasy road movie. Though, and I hate this "though", the final result wasn't up to all of that.
Firstly, it's the casting. (James Marsden) isn't suitable at all to play the lead role. He did nothing throughout the movie but putting the most provocative smile on his face, like it's an ad about a toothbrush!
Secondly, it's the editing. Oh what a destroyer! The pace needed to be saner. Many parts of the movie demanded more time to be understood, however being slightly meditative was forbidden. The editor dealt with the movie as a comedy or adventure movie, to be totally unjust to the real philosophical nature of it. So, the episodes on the road became too rapid, too laconic, and too intensive. Maybe its writer / director (Bob Gale) believed that the swift cuts would deliver it less odd, or maybe he was forcing us to watch it more than once, or maybe he's like me not satisfied with this editing in the first place!
Thirdly, the directing. Sometime it's a bad omen when a story is directed by its own writer, where mostly something would be unseen for them. (Bob Gale) here nearly damaged his good idea when he made it in that fast pace, with a wooden lead, missing the very point. It looked like a Disney adventure for kids, or at its best as a feel good movie from the 1980s. But while it isn't any of both, it lost the deep sense of it, being not simple inasmuch as trivial. (Gale) just hackneyed the uniqueness of the story to make it easier, but to tell the truth, he manipulated it to the extent of being belittled!
Look at the way (Gale) as a writer fabricates an action scene near the end, as if movies nowadays can't be made unless with an explosive car. Part of the story or not, it seemed eventually a desperate attempt to appear more cool and commercial. It's great to speak profoundly, and look plain and attractive in the same time. But this movie sounded confused between both, and too afraid of being philosophical. So (Gale) abbreviated that serious side badly, like he was making a comedy or an action. In fact, it could have been one great musical; at least, there, you might have the time to think of it better.
I loved some of the lessons along the way. For instance, the museum of fake art; where the people are so blind, or so self-assured, to see the truth that this is the real deal, so sometimes the real thing is in front of us, but we just don't, or don't want to, see it.
I loved some of the characters too. Aside from (Christopher Lloyd) as (Ray) who wasn't magically portrayed as he should have been cinematically, there was (Chris Cooper)'s character (Bob Cody) who once was a lair, then now he's like a truth enforcer, the kind that this life needs, as the perfect anti-evil authority. He was the greatest sidekick, or rather rescuer, anyone dreams of.
Add to that, some of the bitter irony, where (Gale) shows us exaggerated negative images of actual negative ones in the American society: the non-stoppable eater as the monster consumer, the doped up country as a dark futuristic America where drugs are legal, and the attorneys' city which's creative caricature that deserves a movie apart!
It didn't give itself the chance to be effective, being a movie that got no time for its wonderful subject, or its too many wild images, refusing to be anything but too ordinary flick, while deep down inside it wholly isn't.
It's the most teaser-like Odyssey you can ever watch.
Originally, it is such a modern odyssey into the contemporary America, with all the lessons of this boy's trip; to learn about life and himself, to make the hardest decision, and choose what he really wants to be. Plus all the crazy sarcasm out of his very society as well (it's the interstate after all), showing a philosophical reading of life in general, through what could be a comic fantasy road movie. Though, and I hate this "though", the final result wasn't up to all of that.
Firstly, it's the casting. (James Marsden) isn't suitable at all to play the lead role. He did nothing throughout the movie but putting the most provocative smile on his face, like it's an ad about a toothbrush!
Secondly, it's the editing. Oh what a destroyer! The pace needed to be saner. Many parts of the movie demanded more time to be understood, however being slightly meditative was forbidden. The editor dealt with the movie as a comedy or adventure movie, to be totally unjust to the real philosophical nature of it. So, the episodes on the road became too rapid, too laconic, and too intensive. Maybe its writer / director (Bob Gale) believed that the swift cuts would deliver it less odd, or maybe he was forcing us to watch it more than once, or maybe he's like me not satisfied with this editing in the first place!
Thirdly, the directing. Sometime it's a bad omen when a story is directed by its own writer, where mostly something would be unseen for them. (Bob Gale) here nearly damaged his good idea when he made it in that fast pace, with a wooden lead, missing the very point. It looked like a Disney adventure for kids, or at its best as a feel good movie from the 1980s. But while it isn't any of both, it lost the deep sense of it, being not simple inasmuch as trivial. (Gale) just hackneyed the uniqueness of the story to make it easier, but to tell the truth, he manipulated it to the extent of being belittled!
Look at the way (Gale) as a writer fabricates an action scene near the end, as if movies nowadays can't be made unless with an explosive car. Part of the story or not, it seemed eventually a desperate attempt to appear more cool and commercial. It's great to speak profoundly, and look plain and attractive in the same time. But this movie sounded confused between both, and too afraid of being philosophical. So (Gale) abbreviated that serious side badly, like he was making a comedy or an action. In fact, it could have been one great musical; at least, there, you might have the time to think of it better.
I loved some of the lessons along the way. For instance, the museum of fake art; where the people are so blind, or so self-assured, to see the truth that this is the real deal, so sometimes the real thing is in front of us, but we just don't, or don't want to, see it.
I loved some of the characters too. Aside from (Christopher Lloyd) as (Ray) who wasn't magically portrayed as he should have been cinematically, there was (Chris Cooper)'s character (Bob Cody) who once was a lair, then now he's like a truth enforcer, the kind that this life needs, as the perfect anti-evil authority. He was the greatest sidekick, or rather rescuer, anyone dreams of.
Add to that, some of the bitter irony, where (Gale) shows us exaggerated negative images of actual negative ones in the American society: the non-stoppable eater as the monster consumer, the doped up country as a dark futuristic America where drugs are legal, and the attorneys' city which's creative caricature that deserves a movie apart!
It didn't give itself the chance to be effective, being a movie that got no time for its wonderful subject, or its too many wild images, refusing to be anything but too ordinary flick, while deep down inside it wholly isn't.
It's the most teaser-like Odyssey you can ever watch.
A quite kiddish movie
cicalinarrot20 December 2020
The general quality, in each single aspect is similar to a half-decent tv show of its era. Actors, very much including a lazy Gary Oldman, fit that category. The plot, probably the worst thing, is seriously trivial and tries so hard to teach you how to be a free spirit, it somehow manages to get preachy about it. Filmmaking is uninspired and generic. It's a movie for early-teenagers and frankly not a great one.
Cheezy
jackinaustintx6 June 2020
I don't normally write reviews but I rely on IMDB to help me filter out the junk. This is, at best, a bad made for TV movie. I wish I could get back the time I wasted watching it based on the high reviews it received. Calling it cheezy is even giving it more credit than it deserves.
One of the worst movies EVER...
madjikcavani10 August 2013
Warning: Spoilers
Is this a joke ? Or are people becoming more and more easy to please ? How could this straight to DVD (and RIGHTFULLY SO) piece of crap can get a 7,6 out of 10 average rating here ? That's beyond me and tends to prove that our current "human" society is getting worse and worse... I'm a massive fan of parallel-alternate universe movies (time travel ones too) and I was ready for a treat here and I'm also a super massive fan of BTTF , Michael J.Fox and Mr Lloyd but wow what a joke of a flick we got here... What's so funny and entertaining about Gary Oldman showing his sex to the horror of Mardsen exactly ? What's the point of our lead character to fall in love with an absolute unknown from pictures that come out of his mind WHILE having already a lovely girl friend he is supposed to care about ?
This movie is so gross, vulgar and appalling that I could not believe it was the same person who worked on the masterpiece called BTTF...
Let's not talk about James Mardsen being a joke of an actor (as charismatic as a tooth pick), he ruined the movie from start to finish with his dumb smile and empty eyes (zero emotion).
To cut it short, if you want just entertaining movies about the same matter go for something like Lost Highway or the old series Sliders.
Avoid this crap at all costs, Michael J Fox is not even inside the movie and has the worst lines he has ever said in his whole career.
This movie is so gross, vulgar and appalling that I could not believe it was the same person who worked on the masterpiece called BTTF...
Let's not talk about James Mardsen being a joke of an actor (as charismatic as a tooth pick), he ruined the movie from start to finish with his dumb smile and empty eyes (zero emotion).
To cut it short, if you want just entertaining movies about the same matter go for something like Lost Highway or the old series Sliders.
Avoid this crap at all costs, Michael J Fox is not even inside the movie and has the worst lines he has ever said in his whole career.
Frustrating
Brevity30 December 2005
Warning: Spoilers
Oh, rats, says I.
Gale is of course experienced with complex internal logic (the "Back to the Future" trilogy), and he doesn't fail in that here either - we're even given the what's-up-doc early on from the Oldman character, which many will appreciate. He's got a great idea here, but the problem is that he needs to get to the point of executing it. Unfortunately the setup, and much of the rest, feels like television, which isn't a good thing.
I don't only mean our fine-toothed protagonist going what the F at the sight of all this wondrousness; Gale the writer sounds at times like a soap writer, and Gale the director doesn't improve the situation. What a shame.
That brings me to another point: how silly of him to miss this good opportunity. The guy could easily have been going what the H, or even what the diddly, proverbially speaking of course; with slight alteration (and better quality, but that's beside the point) this could've become an American Family Classic (then, what do I know?). I wonder why Bob didn't consult me beforehand.
This is a good concept, though, and that should be, nay, that is reason enough to see the film. Besides, Oldman's in it, and the "BttF" duo, not to mention Cooper. Never mind the weak main guy, or me for that matter. You'll like it (as did I, but that's beside my point), what with all the incidental pleasures.
Oh, yes: bad voice-over.
Gale is of course experienced with complex internal logic (the "Back to the Future" trilogy), and he doesn't fail in that here either - we're even given the what's-up-doc early on from the Oldman character, which many will appreciate. He's got a great idea here, but the problem is that he needs to get to the point of executing it. Unfortunately the setup, and much of the rest, feels like television, which isn't a good thing.
I don't only mean our fine-toothed protagonist going what the F at the sight of all this wondrousness; Gale the writer sounds at times like a soap writer, and Gale the director doesn't improve the situation. What a shame.
That brings me to another point: how silly of him to miss this good opportunity. The guy could easily have been going what the H, or even what the diddly, proverbially speaking of course; with slight alteration (and better quality, but that's beside the point) this could've become an American Family Classic (then, what do I know?). I wonder why Bob didn't consult me beforehand.
This is a good concept, though, and that should be, nay, that is reason enough to see the film. Besides, Oldman's in it, and the "BttF" duo, not to mention Cooper. Never mind the weak main guy, or me for that matter. You'll like it (as did I, but that's beside my point), what with all the incidental pleasures.
Oh, yes: bad voice-over.
So mediocre
TheDome813 November 2022
I'm another one who simply don't understand all the high ratings. I'm not saying the film was bad, it just didn't live up to all the hype. I was expecting to really like this one, but it just fell flat. One thing is it tried too hard to be campy and bizarre. Well, it turned out to be so predictable it wasn't funny. The acting was very mediocre. And the writing was pretty lame I have to admit. You've pretty much seen everything this movie has to offer, only it's been done a bunch of times way better. It perhaps should have been titled, Interstate 60: Episodes you've seen a million times before.
Decent flick
michael1_425 October 2004
This was actually a decent movie. It's sad that it didn't get promoted properly because I think if it had it probably would have done well. It leaves you feeling good when you're done watching it. Considering how many absolutely terrible movies come out each year and go on to make millions its sad when a movie that is pretty good goes unnoticed. The movie's not perfect, but definitely worth renting in my opinion. I rented it and I had never even heard of it, but the description on the back sounded intriguing. It turned out to be very interesting. Surprisingly, there are a number of cameos in this movie from some pretty big stars. This isn't promoted well on the cover of the movie either. Kirk Russel, Michael J. Fox, and Christopher Lloyd and of course Gary Oldman are all in this movie. The lead character, whose name I don't know, was good in it also. I'm happy I rented it.
I must be in an alternate universe.
barryjantz22 December 2021
Interstate 60, a little known but apparently highly-rated movie, is about a young man seeking life's answers in the alternate universe of a highway that doesn't exist. Interesting concept, but that's where the interest ends.
Poorly executed and acted, even a great actor like Gary Oldman couldn't save his own performance with so little substance with which to work. Chris Cooper, in a minor role, is the lone performance to come off as somewhat realistic.
I was drawn to watch it by the promise of a Back to the Future type fantasy-comedy. That's an insult to the Back to the Future films. Only the last five or 10 minutes saved it from being one of the worst movies I've ever seen.
The fact that so many have rated Interstate 60 highly enough to score it about 7.6 on IMDB, makes me wonder if I'm the one experiencing an alternate universe.
Poorly executed and acted, even a great actor like Gary Oldman couldn't save his own performance with so little substance with which to work. Chris Cooper, in a minor role, is the lone performance to come off as somewhat realistic.
I was drawn to watch it by the promise of a Back to the Future type fantasy-comedy. That's an insult to the Back to the Future films. Only the last five or 10 minutes saved it from being one of the worst movies I've ever seen.
The fact that so many have rated Interstate 60 highly enough to score it about 7.6 on IMDB, makes me wonder if I'm the one experiencing an alternate universe.
Boulevard of not so broken dreams
Vomitron_G20 December 2005
Warning: Spoilers
Does the name Bob Gale ring a bell by anyone? Well, it should, because the man's responsible for writing the screenplays of the complete BACK TO THE FUTURE trilogy. In 2002 he finished a new screenplay which he turned into a movie himself. The result is INTERSTATE 60, a damned fine fantasy/comedy disguised as a roadmovie.
Protagonist is Neil Oliver, a young painter whose dad really likes to see him become a lawyer some day. On his 22nd birthday he meets the odd O.W. Grant, who's capable of granting wishes. Neil wishes an answer to his questions concerning the meaning of his life. From there on unexplainable signs and messages appear in his life, which only he seems to perceive. They lead him to the mysterious Ray, who hands him over a package which Neil must deliver to an unexisting town, somewhere along the unexisting Interstate 60.
Once the roadtrip gets going, the movie gets fairly episodic, leading Neil from one absurd situation to another. Along the way he encounters a motley jumble of surreal human beings. Given the nature of his wish, it's a bit surprising that not a lot of existential themes are handled throughout the movie. It often stays at mildly thought-provoking statements like "All events are inevitable. If they weren't, then this would not have happened" or questioning things as 'conditionalised perception'. Which is, of course, amusing to say the least. The dialogues are also rather light-hearted and the over-all look of the film might just be a little too bright and colorful for my taste. But this was clearly a decision knowingly made by the director. The pacing of this movie is well-balanced, and rather up-tempo, keeping you interested all the way.
But perhaps the most fun you will have with this movie, will come from spotting familiar faces. Gary Oldman is downright funny as O.W. Grant. We've got Michael J. Fox and Christopher Lloyd doing enjoyable cameo's and Kurt Russel playing a police officer of a town with a very remarkable drug-policy. James Marsden (X-MEN) is okay as the main character and his dreamgirl is portrayed by Amy Smart (THE BUTTERFLY EFFECT).
Though the movie sometimes makes fun of the American Way of Life (a town full of lawyers), at times it also upholds a too romanticized vision of it, with the whole 'keep on chasing your dreams'-message being a bit too thick and obvious in the end. We all know that in reality probably more dreams are shattered to pieces than actually accomplished. But, what the hell, this is decent fantasy/comedy with a healthy amount of absurdity and a 'feel-good'-touch, guaranteeing 2 hours of entertainment.
It's amazing this independent film never had a decent distribution in theatres (as well in Europe as in America). I guess it's because of the story and themes being a little too offbeat for the bigger studio's. It will probably never obtain a cult-status like DONNIE DARKO, nor is it a masterpiece like Tim Burton's BIG FISH, but lets hope that INTERSTATE 60 with the release of the DVD gets the attention it deserves after all.
Protagonist is Neil Oliver, a young painter whose dad really likes to see him become a lawyer some day. On his 22nd birthday he meets the odd O.W. Grant, who's capable of granting wishes. Neil wishes an answer to his questions concerning the meaning of his life. From there on unexplainable signs and messages appear in his life, which only he seems to perceive. They lead him to the mysterious Ray, who hands him over a package which Neil must deliver to an unexisting town, somewhere along the unexisting Interstate 60.
Once the roadtrip gets going, the movie gets fairly episodic, leading Neil from one absurd situation to another. Along the way he encounters a motley jumble of surreal human beings. Given the nature of his wish, it's a bit surprising that not a lot of existential themes are handled throughout the movie. It often stays at mildly thought-provoking statements like "All events are inevitable. If they weren't, then this would not have happened" or questioning things as 'conditionalised perception'. Which is, of course, amusing to say the least. The dialogues are also rather light-hearted and the over-all look of the film might just be a little too bright and colorful for my taste. But this was clearly a decision knowingly made by the director. The pacing of this movie is well-balanced, and rather up-tempo, keeping you interested all the way.
But perhaps the most fun you will have with this movie, will come from spotting familiar faces. Gary Oldman is downright funny as O.W. Grant. We've got Michael J. Fox and Christopher Lloyd doing enjoyable cameo's and Kurt Russel playing a police officer of a town with a very remarkable drug-policy. James Marsden (X-MEN) is okay as the main character and his dreamgirl is portrayed by Amy Smart (THE BUTTERFLY EFFECT).
Though the movie sometimes makes fun of the American Way of Life (a town full of lawyers), at times it also upholds a too romanticized vision of it, with the whole 'keep on chasing your dreams'-message being a bit too thick and obvious in the end. We all know that in reality probably more dreams are shattered to pieces than actually accomplished. But, what the hell, this is decent fantasy/comedy with a healthy amount of absurdity and a 'feel-good'-touch, guaranteeing 2 hours of entertainment.
It's amazing this independent film never had a decent distribution in theatres (as well in Europe as in America). I guess it's because of the story and themes being a little too offbeat for the bigger studio's. It will probably never obtain a cult-status like DONNIE DARKO, nor is it a masterpiece like Tim Burton's BIG FISH, but lets hope that INTERSTATE 60 with the release of the DVD gets the attention it deserves after all.
unbelievable
funkypen27 May 2006
I've been reading user comments on IMDb for a while now and I am extremely happy I finally read I-60's reviews. I thought it was only me that this movie had such a profound effect on,(and everyone I showed it to), guess I could not have been more wrong. I don't want to talk about what happens in this film because if you are reading this you already know. I just want to add my views on how someone could come up with a vision that could not previously be described or put into words. I first came across I-60 at the end of 2003 and the thing I remember most the first time watching was...OH MY GOD... How could anyone fit so much into such a tiny period and have it make so much sense, almost to the point of unbelievability. Not the road itself of course, but the usage of metaphors that are 100 percent relevant and practical. I was able to use, and still do, so many of the concepts that were presented in the movie. I actually felt at times I was able to identify my own red spades, which I would never have thought twice about before seeing this. The characters are believable only to a point that you need to be able to identify with the lifestyles they have, but they still come across as being real people, which I think is the biggest selling point in the film. They make you want to believe you can find your own Interstate 60. I know people who have very closed minds who would have no use for an uncatagorizable masterpiece such as this, but watching it could only help broaden what they thought their world was made of. I still watch it to this day, and after at least 10 viewings still come across one of those,wow, I never noticed that before. That is how you can tell that this is one of those keepers that will someday gain a will of its own and become a classic that will inevitably have more than just a cult following. The fact that four years after its first release it has the longest list of user comments I've seen and growing should be enough evidence that its only in the beginning stages of its life. I believe the more who see it, the more who will believe in it. I am just glad I was able to be a part in laying the seeds for this wonderful adventure, and thank you Bob Gale for sharing this unseen vision with us all.
Homer Meets Jonathan Swift
euhwrm8 February 2024
Warning: Spoilers
Homer meets Jonathan Swift. At least it seems to be, in my humble opinion. So much enjoyable if one can see the parallels. Such a fun film! And to think: it snuck in under the radar. This film is going on the "personal favorite" list! It's not perfect but one can't help but wonder how much "The Odyssey" and "Gulliver's Travels" have influenced the writing. The satire blended with the mythology tells an age old story of a man searching for answers (Homer) and how he perceive the world and others (Swift). And perhaps sprinkling of Jim Morrison, namely the song "Riders on the Storm." My opinion, of course.
Same this is limited...Great movie!
MoSH_MaN22 April 2003
loved the movie
shadys_sinister_baby66622 December 2005
i saw the movie and i loved it, i found it very philosophical and enlightening however i was curious as to whether or not there is a website such as the one that Neal uses in the movie. the decision maker one! does anyone happen to know? i liked how Marsden performed in the movie and compared to his other roles in the past i was pleased with this one. as with the role of Christopher Lloyd, a very funny and good actor. however some parts of the movie were a little predictable but the same goes for every movie, this one made up for it in other ways such as wit, thought and physicality's. all in all i thought it a very funny and thoughtful movie and would watch it time and time again.
nice film about life
kjebraad29 August 2003
wow! check out the three last dates of the postings! out of all those possibilities :-)
I saw this movie without any expectations and got very a nice film experience. It have just a couple of downs, rest of the film is very well composed. especially i liked the little surprises and philosophy throughout the story. I also feel this gives the film some sort of layers to it, the way it adapts to the viewer.
anyone can find some nourishment to their philosophies about life by seeing this film i would guess.
I saw this movie without any expectations and got very a nice film experience. It have just a couple of downs, rest of the film is very well composed. especially i liked the little surprises and philosophy throughout the story. I also feel this gives the film some sort of layers to it, the way it adapts to the viewer.
anyone can find some nourishment to their philosophies about life by seeing this film i would guess.
Short-sighted Hallmark Style and Contrived
miketmatthews-4042318 April 2020
An oversimplification of moral and ethical judgment. Happy ever after, perfect looking lead character without acting skills or else the role he played lacked the depth to highlight his skills. Assumes beggers won't wash a windshield for an apple therefore the homeless are completely responsible for their lot in life. Drug users make their choice and it's perfectly okay for investers to enjoy the fruits of the drug user's hardship. (i.e. Drug-user=anyone who buys into the social values of the American culture promulgated by manipulative advertising, which through heavy investment in psychology, marketers can sell people on the idea: that Coca-Cola will keep them young, slim and happy; beer will make them loveable rather than obnoxious; expensive vehicles will fill the hole in their esteem, while chaining them to debt; and that regulation to curb manipulative ads, prevent sales of firearms to the mentally ill and deeply depressed, clean the environment etc, are to be confused with or classified as trivial and bureaucratic waste when in fact this red tape is simply a response to powerful corporations and organizations who hire lawyers to find loopholes in good meaningful regulation so they can legally steal from the unsuspecting.
I will accept that I am guilty of politizing, but this is the same short-sightedness I see the right-wing methodology used to pull the wool over the eyes of their constituency.
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