Review of Interstate 60 (2002) by Walter M — 15 Sep 2005

[font=Century Gothic]In "Interstate 60", Neal Oliver(James Marsden) is a young man on the verge of one of two careers - either a lawyer or an artist - while working nights for a shipping company to make ends meet in Saint Louis.(His father wants him to be a lawyer.) He has also been having dreams of a beautiful blonde he has never met. At his birthday dinner, he makes a wish for an answer to his life. O.W. Grant(Gary Oldman, channeling Ray Walston) is more than happy to grant his wish. Neal is then employed by the mysterious Ray(Christopher LLoyd) to deliver a package to Danver which lies on Interstate 60...[/font].

[font=Century Gothic]"Interstate 60" explores some interesting themes but they are hammered to death before being drop kicked off the Gateway Arch.(The movie has quite a lot to say about a person choosing their own path in life. But there seem to be more characters smoking in this movie than most other recent films I've seen...) The movie simply does not have enough confidence in the audience to come to its own conclusions. I do wish it would have had more to say on work and American mythology. James Marsden is too bland a lead for an ambitiously different movie as this one. But after a poor start, the movie does get much, much better in its second half with an assist from Chris Cooper who is great. A couple of cameos also help. And a little road geekery never hurt.[/font].