Freeway (1996)

[Matt H. Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Matt H.]

I've watched this a couple times before, but I'd forgotten how disturbing it is. Reese Witherspoon gives a really enthusiastic performance as the trailer trash version of "Little Red Riding Hood", who gets picked up by a really creepy Kiefer Sutherland (as a variation of the "Big Bad Wolf"), as she's fleeing her ghetto neighbourhood to visit her grandma. One thing I admired about it this time around is how it maintained its' uncompromising tone for the entire runtime; it truly felt dangerous and I loved how it made me feel uneasy. This is a creepy movie and it's very well made. I think it was Wes Craven who said: "I like the idea of making the audience believe they're in the hands of a madman", or something to that effect, and that theory definitely applies to this one. It got me thinking that these types of indies don't really get made that much in the US anymore. I watched the sequel CONFESSIONS OF A TRICKBABY earlier this year, and it's even more nihilistic than this one. What are some more recent US films that could be described as "dangerous" or are not afraid of being offensive? I feel like modern movies have a tendency to add an element of redemption or hope to even the edgiest stories and somehow they're holding back from crossing that line into truly offensive or subversive territory.

[Alex K. Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Alex K.]

Great film that I haven't seen in forever.

[Mark Tolch Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Mark Tolch]

I really love FREEWAY, so many performances from people you just wouldn't expect them from. I still have the DVD, but haven't watched it in awhile. It perfectly straddles the line between amusing and offensive...to most people, anyway...and maintains a weird energy throughout. I thought the sequel tried too hard to top it and toppled into ugh territory...not a fan.

[Anthony A Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Anthony A]

I thought Freeway was funny as hell...

Anthony

[The Silly Swede Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close The Silly Swede]

Is there any great release of this available? Cause I'd like to revisit without going through my old shoddy barebones dvd.

[Matt H. Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Matt H.]

Is there any great release of this available? Cause I'd like to revisit without going through my old shoddy barebones dvd.

The version I have is from Republic Pictures and it's non-anamorphic, but it has a commentary from Matthew Bright. I blew it up to 16X9 and it looked surprisingly ok; most of the time I find it makes the picture too blurry, but in this case it didn't really affect the image.

[Matt H. Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Matt H.]

I thought the sequel tried too hard to top it and toppled into ugh territory...not a fan.

Agreed. The sequel is very unpleasant and mean-spirited. The only recent film I can think of that has a similarly nasty tone is FILTH, based on the Irvine Welsh novel. I couldn't believe how brutal this movie was; I admired it for not holding back, but holy shit, what a depressing experience it was watching it. I'll never forget it.

[Mark Tolch Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Mark Tolch]

Agreed on FILTH, and if you thought the movie was depressing and haven't read the book, stay away. The book was the most depressing thing I've read in years.

[The Silly Swede Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close The Silly Swede]

Filth was absolutely marvelous.

[enandalusiskhund An Andalusian Dog Find all posts View Profile Close enandalusiskhund]

Is Filth the British cop film? I actually have that one lying around somewhere, seems like I have to bump it to the top of the watch pile.

[The Silly Swede Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close The Silly Swede]

Is Filth the British cop film? I actually have that one lying around somewhere, seems like I have to bump it to the top of the watch pile.

Yep, that is the one.

[Keeth Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Keeth]

I've read Filth & liked it alot but haven't seen the movie. I know I've seen Freeway. Sounds like I need to see it again. I did remember that Freeway is based on the I-5 Killer.

[Quot Bark! Go away Find all posts View Profile Close Quot]

Love Freeway. Also love Matthew Bright's earlier collaboration with with the Elfman brothers, Forbidden Zone.

[enandalusiskhund An Andalusian Dog Find all posts View Profile Close enandalusiskhund]

This is getting really off-topic, but I just watched Filth, and yes it is an enjoyable film. The tone is all over the place, just a wild ride from beginning to three quarters in, endearing and disorienting in equal measure. I don't think they nail the last act though, when it gets more serious and melodramatic. The transition just doesn't work emotionally for me. It's funny as hell in the beginning though, with sometimes really pitch black humour.

[Matt H. Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Matt H.]

This is getting really off-topic, but I just watched Filth, and yes it is an enjoyable film. The tone is all over the place, just a wild ride from beginning to three quarters in, endearing and disorienting in equal measure. I don't think they nail the last act though, when it gets more serious and melodramatic. The transition just doesn't work emotionally for me. It's funny as hell in the beginning though, with sometimes really pitch black humour.

Besides the opening scene (which is very disturbing), I thought the first 30-40 minutes were very funny, but after that it just became bleak and upsetting. I remember feeling exhausted and thoroughly depressed after it was over.