Stuck (2007)

A young woman commits a hit-and-run, then finds her fate tied to her victim.

Director:

Stuart Gordon

Writers:

John Strysik (screenplay), Stuart Gordon (story)

Stars:

Mena Suvari, Stephen Rea, Russell Hornsby

2 wins & 4 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Mena Suvari	...	Brandi Boski
Stephen Rea	...	Thomas Bardo
Russell Hornsby	...	Rashid
Rukiya Bernard	...	Tanya
Carolyn Purdy-Gordon	...	Petersen
Lionel Mark Smith	...	Sam
Wayne Robson	...	Mr. Binckley
R.D. Reid	...	Manager
Patrick McKenna	...	Joe Lieber
Sharlene Royer	...	Tiffany
Bunthivy Nou	...	Gloria
Suzanne Short	...	Receptionist
Wally MacKinnon	...	Beat Cop
John Dartt	...	Cop
Liam McNamara	...	Thin Young Man

Storyline

Brandi is a hard-partying, overworked, nursing assistant desperate for a promotion at the retirement home where she works. After a night of drug-binging and partying, she accidentally hits a certain Thomas Bardo a deadbeat and recently evicted man who gets stuck in the windshield of her car. Not wanting to call for help since she is driving under the influence, Brandi chooses not to get Thomas medical help and instead drives home and leaves him clinging to life on the windshield of her car. While Brandi frantically tries to decide what she is going to do, Thomas tries to free himself knowing his time is running out.

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Plot Keywords:

stomach wound | brassiere | pantyhose | splatter comedy | prisoner | 

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Taglines:

Two Destinies Are About To Collide

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Genres:

Biography | Crime | Drama | Horror | Thriller

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for strong violence, disturbing content, sexuality/nudity, language and drug use

Details

Country:

Canada UK USA Germany

Language:

English Spanish

Release Date:

9 January 2009 (UK)

Also Known As:

Accidentul

Filming Locations:

Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada

Box Office

Budget:

$5,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$8,844, 1 June 2008, Limited Release

Gross USA:

$67,152, 13 July 2008

Company Credits

Production Co:

Prodigy Pictures, Amicus Entertainment, Tumidor

Technical Specs

Runtime:

85 min 94 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Scriptwriter John Strysik has stated that the last name of Stephen Rea's character - Bardo - comes from the Buddhist term for an intermediate or transitional state of being, and thus is a reference to the life-or-death situation Tom experiences.

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Goofs

When Bardo is seen walking down the street, you can see the visible breath of a crumbier on the right side of the shot. This is apparently due to the cold temperature on the night this was filmed.

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Quotes

[first lines]
[At the care facility, a patient offscreen calls for Brandi]
Mr. Binckley: Brandi! I want Brandi!
Gloria: He did it again.
Brandi Boski: He did?
Gloria: I tried helping, but he keeps asking for you.
Brandi Boski: Yeah, he does that.

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Connections

Remade as Accident on Hill Road (2010)

User Reviews

A Great Transition for Stuart Gordon

Mena Suvari plays nurse Brandi Boski who, on the eve of her promotion, strikes a homeless man who gets stuck (hence the title) in her windshield. Not wanting to get fired (or lose her promotion), she decides to hide the man in her garage rather than report him to the local hospital. A problem arises soon thereafter when it is revealed that the man is not actually dead.

When word came my way that a movie was coming out based on the Chante Mallard story, I was pretty pumped. I had written a novella based on the same case back in 2003, so I was not only familiar with it but had something of a personal connection. And then when I heard it was from the legendary Stuart Gordon ("Re-Animator"), I was more than just a little pumped. I was ecstatic. Gordon, back in the director's seat... and soon enough his newest creation was in my hands. It's good to be a horror reviewer.

This was actually a departure for Gordon, being far more a "real" movie (with drama bits) and much less a b-movie. Not much Jeffrey Combs, no Dennis Paoli... and Mena Suvari had been brought in... and the cover of the box is glowing with positive reviews from The New York Times and USA Today. I don't know for certain, but I don't think this is the level of attention he normally musters. You've come a long way from Empire, baby. And as much as I'll always love the Gordon classics, both old and new, it's nice to see him getting the recognition he deserves. There's room for a new giant among Wes Craven and John Carpenter. Maybe Romero will give up his seat.

The film itself is powerful as a drama and the horror elements are downplayed until much later on. We begin by following the homeless man on a regular day trying to find work at the government's assistance bureau. He is less than successful. Suvari, on the other hand, is finally rewarded for putting up with other people's crap (most literally). For the next hour, it is the exposition of these lives that is the focal point. I may never have thought of Stuart Gordon as a dialogue-driven director, but this film really showcases his ability to bring normal characters to life without gimmicks.

By the time you read this, "Stuck" should be available in stores. And you really must give it a chance. Long-time Gordon fans will enjoy it and I think we can safely say this isn't him selling out. (Some Peter Jackson fans likely regret Jackson's move towards the big budget films... but many aspects of "Stuck" hint that no matter how big, Gordon knows his roots.) Those who never heard of Stuart Gordon and are confused by all my ranting and raving will enjoy the film as well, because it's a story that real, with real people and real emotions. A respectable date movie for those who like horror on their dates but may not necessarily want the splatter. Oh, and drink Scotch while you watch it.