Freeway [DVD]

Reese Witherspoon is a powerhouse, fearlessly tackling a difficult, unflattering role with the aplomb of an actor twice her age. The film wouldn't have worked so well had she not infused Vanessa Lutz with three-dimensional realism: a young, unapologetic survivor of a horrendous upbringing with unassailable self-possession. Kiefer Sutherland deserves kudos for committing to play a repulsive villain bereft of audience sympathy. The delicate chemistry between the two creates unlikely comedy out of darkness.Quite unexpectedly and artfully the film makes an important cultural point: that society tends to automatically discount anyone who's been in the system (correctional-social welfare) and give credence to anyone who outwardly appears "respectable." The film doesn't hit you over the head with it but gets it across as part of the story.I've long been a film of countercultural, impolite, subversive art, be it film, music or traditional museum or gallery work. Freeway delivers 100% and made me laugh beginning to end.

Reese is a NUT in this. It’s a great show.

Freeway (1996), written and directed by Matthew Bright, takes the classic tale of Little Red Riding Hood, infuses it with part Jerry Springer, part America's Most Wanted to create a highly disturbing, yet often times satirical, dark look at our collective fascination with serial killers.The film stars Reese Witherspoon as Vanessa Lutz, a somewhat illiterate 15-year-old California girl whose life is anything but a bowl of cherries. Her mother (Amanda Plummer) is a drug-addicted prostitute, working just outside the motel where the family lives, while her step-dad Larry, played by Michael Weiss (The Pretender), is a lecherous, alcoholic, drug abusing parolee who has spent more of his life in prisons than out. Trouble develops when Vanessa's mother gets arrested, along with her stepfather, and Vanessa is headed into the foster care system once again. Deciding to forgo the system, Vanessa escapes, trying to make her way to her paternal grandmother, a woman she's never met, but figures it's got to be better than the alternative.Upon breaking down on the freeway, she meets Bob Wolverton (Kiefer Sutherland) who offers assistance in a ride. The man seems a bit too helpful (at least to me), but Vanessa takes Bob up on his offer. We learn Bob is some sort of councilor, and he begins to probe (figuratively speaking) Vanessa about her family problems, getting her to discuss more and more details. She trusts him initially, given that it is usually easier to discuss highly personal matters with a complete stranger than those closest to you, but, when Bob begins to get too explicit, Vanessa tries to walk away, to which Bob's true colors come through. You see, there's a serial killer on the loose, one whose target appear to be young women picked up on the freeway. As Vanessa determines that Bob is in fact the killer, she manages to escape, but not before shooting Bob a number of times, leaving him for dead. But Bob doesn't die...he's severely messed up, but doesn't die.Soon Vanessa is picked up by the police, as Bob, now a victim, and his wife (played by Brook Shields) aggressively press for the prosecution of Vanessa as an adult. It's no surprise to Vanessa that the police are reluctant to by into her version of the events, seeing only a troubled youth who viciously shot and then robbed a man trying to assist her. As the authorities try to determine whether or not they can prosecute Vanessa as an adult, she manages to escape, and makes her way towards her grandmother's house, while the police, finding new evidence to support Vanessa's story, begin investigating Bob, who has since gone missing.I've given you a fair synopsis so far, but I left out a lot of things, like the dark, comedic elements, the graphic violence, and the incredible amount of profanity. Reese Witherspoon does a wonderful job, presenting an interminably cute, yet violent and brutal when she needs to be, product of her environment. Her character seemed very similar to the one she played in a later film, Election (1999), except a lot trashier, but less devious. Kiefer Sutherland seemed to enjoy his role, presenting an initially suave exterior hiding a fairly hideous and disgusting individual, full of contempt and thoughts of uber-violence. His visage after suffering the attack from his would be victim nicely matched what I felt the character to be like on the inside, disturbing, disgusting, and intensely grotesque. The supporting cast including Dan Heyda, Bokeem Woodbine, and Brittany Murphy all add nicely to this intensely out-of-whack modern day version of the little girl in red and the big, bad wolf. One can't help notice influences of Oliver Stone's 1994 surrealistic nightmare Natural Born Killers within this film, and I wasn't surprised to learn Mr. Stone was actually an executive producer for Freeway. While lacking the intense, skewed, and sometimes confusing visual imagery of Natural Born Killers, Freeway does share it's darkly comedic elements, holding little back from its audience. As I said, the violence is more of the visceral sort, but I did notice in many instances the aftermath of the violence was shown, rather than the actual act as it happened. The amount of profanity seemed a bit extreme at times, but it was there for a reason (what that reason is, I am unsure). With elements in film like this, I am usually of the opinion that less is more, in that a subjective placement of such language in certain areas of the movie can create the shocking elements desired rather than large quantities spread throughout.The quality of the print here looks very good in wide screen format, and the audio is excellent. Not much in the way of special features other than a commentary track by the writer/director and a theatrical trailer. The price for this DVD is certainly attractive, but know that it earns its' 'R' rating, and certainly isn't for everyone.Cookieman108

I worked with adolescents on an in-patient psych ward, and they have been subjected to all this abuse, and more. I've known men on the outside who blamed females for all their perversions, and believed they had a right to control them, instead of themselves. I've known pedophiles into child porn (worked as teachers with kids) who were rallied around and supported by vast numbers of people in their community. ("He only looked at pictures. The children were't that young. He's a really nice guy and an asset to the community.") So when I tell you, I have never seen a child/female revenge film that captures the truth of all that before, take my word for it. All the acting is good, the pacing is good, the dialogue is good. It's a little cartoonish at times-an effort to lighten it up a little-but then it is organized around a children's fable. (Someone here commented that Reese had some fake southern accent-well, she grew up in the south, and the character had lived in Texas.) I'm a major Reese fan, and I'm truly surprised that this film didn't get a wider reputation. Is it perfect? Probably not. But it's damn good, and it tackles topics that need wider awareness.

"...twisted take on 'Little Red Riding Hood, ..." So, in that regard, it succeeded. At times: goofy; realistic; violent; relaxed; satisfying. Sometimes the worse part was the music. I can say it's worth the watch.

In Freeway Reese Witherspoon really shows us that she can play kickass white trash as well as a sweet girl who gets the guy. **Spolier** Reese plays Vanessa who after her mom and stepdad get arrested, plans to go see her paternal grandmother who she has never met. In a red mini skirt and with a picnic basket as a suitcase Vanessa heads to the trailer park. On the way her car breaks down and she hitchhikes. She is picked up by Bob (Keifer Sutherland) as the super creepy guy who we soon learn is the I-5 killer that had been on the news. Little does Bob know that Vanessa can fend for herself! When he tries to kill her she fights back and well....you just gotta watch and find out...trust me, you won't regret it.. Brilliant writing, it is funny and smart a great commentary for our reality-tv addicted times. This is not for everyone, there is a lot of violence, adult language and themes. But it is a great social satire that should be added to any serious collector's library. highly recommended and surely one of my favorite movies.

Eine junge Reese Witherspoon die die Hauptrolle locker meistert und Kiefer Sutherland der den ekligen Serienmörder überzeugend spielt. Drehbuch von Matthew Bright. Eine Produktion von Oliver Stone der eine Art Gottseibeiuns der Liberalen und Demokraten ist und ein offenes Happy-End das natürlich keines ist. Den Kritikern im deutschen Sprachraum hat Freeway so gar nicht gefallen, ein Problem das sie seltsamerweise mit Tarrantino nicht haben, der bläst halt politisch ins richtige Horn. Absolut sehenswert, gehört mit "Solange du da bist", "Sweet Home Alabama" und der HBO-Miniserie "Big Little Lies" zum Besten von Reese Witherspoon (auch wenn das ganz andere Filme sind).

I absolutely loved this very, VERY dark and violent comedy, which by its general atmosphere and kind of humor reminded me strongly of "True Romance" and a little bit of "Pulp Fiction". Limited SPOILERS below.This is the story of Vanessa Lutz (Reese Witherspoon), a 16 years old girl living with her mother (a crack addict and a prostitute) and her stepfather (a crack addict and petty thief). She is half-illiterate but very resourceful and street-wise. In the beginning of the film, after a particularly horrible day, she decides to run away and go live with her grandmother. But on the way she meets a certain Bob Wolverton (Kieffer Sutherland), a charming, gentle, helpful man, with a wide smile and really big teeth... What follows, is for you to discover, but let me tell you - you are in for a wild ride!This film was made before Reese Witherspoon big break, so she really put everything she had or could borrow in her acting, and believe me, she is INCREDIBLE! Without the slightest doubt, this is her best role ever! Kieffer Sutherland is as good, even if his character is a little bit more typical and therefore more previsible. Brooke Shields plays a smaller but important role of Bob's wife. Amanda Plummer (famous for her role of Hunny Bunny in "Pulp Fiction") is absolutely amazing as Vanessa'a mum. And finally, there is Brittany Murphy, who plays a small role, but steals the show in every scene she appears in! Frankly, she completely impressed me in this film - it is such a pity that she left us so young...The major strength of this film is in the incredible, clever, frequently funny and sometimes surrealistic dialogs, which bear strong resemblance to those from "True Romance" and sometimes also from "Pulp Fiction". It is understandable as director and writer of "Freeway", Matthew Bright, made his life mostly as scenario writer before trying his luck in directing. Considering that "Freway" was his first film, it is a pity that for some reason his career didn't take off, as his next three films were complete failures and he didn't turn anything since 2003.Although dialogs are great, be advised that they are by moments shocking, pretty obscene and quasi pornographic - and therefore this is a film for adults only. Also, "Freeway" is very politically incorrect (an asset as far as I am concerned) and some more violent moments can be pretty disturbing. Finally, the whole climate of the movie as well as the main character (Vanessa) are moraly very... well, questionnable. It is good, solid entertainment - but not for all tastes.Botom line, this is an excellent, very surprising and by moments extremely funny film, with top level dialogs and a bunch of great actors. I absolutely keep my DVD to a re-watch. Enjoy - if you dare!

now that reese witherspoon is a mega hollywood actress commanding $20million a film now is the time to take a look at this quirky black comedy from earlier in her career. Set out like a modern day take on red riding hood follow vanessa lutz as she preaches her way from a an obussive home life through to her stint in prison and her visit to grandmas. This truly is the greatest black comedy you will ever see. Career best from the young mrs witherspoon (after watching this it makes you wonder why she settles for the rubbish rom-coms we see her in now) and keifer sutherland who is now on the comeback trail with his hit show 24. This truly is a film you can watch over and over again. not for the easily offended

A gritty & hard hitting teen tale that takes some watching.Stick with it & you won't be disappointed.

Loved this. Witherspoon plays a role better than any other she's filled. No ditsy blondes here.