Review of Detour (1992) by Toni C — 13 Feb 2008

As one of the film industryâ??s first successful independent productions, Detour excels at demonstrating just how possible it can be to tell a large-scale story on a small-scale budget. Certainly one aspect of the filmâ??s success can be attributed to the novelty of its origins, but the its combination of gripping suspense and well-crafted character types provide more than enough entertainment to carry its viewer through its short 67 minute runtime. Its ending however, could be argued as leaving something to be desired. In true film noir fashion, Detour starts off rather slow with a dreary introduction, showing the cynicism of its lead character, Al Roberts, and his not-so-flowering relationship with Sue Harvey. Contrary to traditional film noir however, is the subject matter of the film.

Instead of the usual crime drama wherein the protagonist is thrust into a position of offense and somehow always finds the means to rise above his current shadowy predicament, Mr. Roberts instead is perhaps the least cunning lead character one could ever expect to be retelling his story in flashback form. This aspect of his character does not particularly bid well for the story, as an audience member can only sit through so much complaining and excuse-making for the events that have ended him up where he is now. Thankfully (as sad as it is), we have Vera to spice things up a little.

Were it not for Ann Savageâ??s blood-boiling portrayal of such a manipulative, controlling grave-digger as Vera, Detourâ??s viewers would most certainly have a hard time staying awake long enough to experience this filmâ??s anti-climactic ending.

And what a pity that would be!