After a confrontation with an unstable man (Russell Crowe) at an intersection, a woman becomes the target of his rage.
Chuck says: A vile, nasty piece of work, this paranoid thriller gives vent to the frustration so much of us are feeling in an exploitive manner that is borderline offensive. The story is gossamer thin and as the violence increases- becoming more gratuitous with every scene, a sense of distaste develops that hangs over the entire film. Had some steps been made to understand the Crowe character – who is listed as The Man, to imply that we’re all just like him- there would be some merit to the movie. However, he’s nothing more than a raging bogeyman in the Jason/Freddy tradition who we can’t relate to or root for. The timing of this release couldn’t be worse as it almost plays as a justification to blow your top. I haven’t hated a movie like this in a long, long time.
Pam says: While the film sets up great tension, the exploitation of those with mental illness punctuated by relentless and gratuitous violence is at the heart and soul of this film. We’ve all been in a “road rage” moment either on the giving or receiving end of it, but the brutality of this film is over the top, taking away from any possible storyline of interest. Miscasting of all but Crowe completes my inability to recommend the film. And timing is everything. Had “Joker” been released right now, perhaps it would not have garnered the accolades it did. Really, any film with gratuitous violence would have ordinarily slipped through the cracks, but for this particular slasher movie, it’s front and center and is going to reap the wrath of those who need a calming escape or perhaps a comedic one, not a violent one. The message to me, however, is a positive one–relax behind the wheel, think twice before you honk, and think twice before you respond to someone who honked at you. Coincidentally, this was my New Year’s resolution…so far, so good.
