Review of Vanishing Point (1971) by Shawn H — 28 Mar 2010

What an awesome film! To put it into context, it was for the 70's what Easy Rider defined the 60's. A film for a generation against the establishment, and in the thick of the civil rights movement.

I actually never heard of the movie until Mr. Tarantino referenced it while making Death Proof. That guy is like an encyclopedia. Although you could argue Vanishing Point is just a car chase movie, (a good one at that!) it goes further to deal with the issues of the time through the experiences of Kowalski, the main character who drives his Challenger across 3 states in western US.

It's likened to the last frontier, and Kowalski galloping across open terrain in spite of the decay of his cherished lifestyle. The film really captures the culture of the time! It looks great too! Apparently the director made efforts to amass 7 white challengers so it would visually show well off desert range.

This movie easily could have been Smokey and the Bandit, but doesn't and it isn't shy about making "points". Mr. Little does a great cameo as Super Soul radio station host KOW in a small mid-western town. His Blind-man character ironically provides the vision and guidance to Kowalski, and his listeners while the story unfolds.

Add to the mix a kickass soundtrack and chase scenes that easy rival Bullitt, you get a real gem of a film that surprises you! A rarity these days.