Seasoned New Yorkers Brian Kessler (Duchovny) and his girlfriend Carrie Laughlin (Forbes) are a fine example of secure yuppydom. Brian?s fascination with serial killers has reached the point where he decides to write a book about them. Carrie is a photographer who is trying to get her work accepted to galleries, and is itching to move to California and try her luck there. So between them, they come up with the idea of driving to California and visiting/photographing famous murder sites en-route. Deciding they could use some extra cash along the way, they place an ad for travel buddies on a college noticeboard. Funny how twists of fate work, as Early Grayce (Pitt) is the man who responds to their ad. He is only there to apply for a janitor?s position he doesn?t want, one set up by his parole officer, and he too has set his sights on a new life in California, although he?s not supposed to leave the state.

So begins a cross-country journey with a difference. It?s yuppie versus poor white trash all the way. Early brings his sweet, na?ve girlfriend Adele (Lewis) along and the two couples are forced to ?get along?. Carrie dislikes Early from the outset, so Brian and Adele find themselves constantly trying to smooth things over. As the trip progresses, things appear to settle; after a few beers, some pool and a pub brawl, Brian and Early even begin to ?bond?, much to Carrie?s disgust. Regardless, Carrie finds herself liking Adele, even though she pities her, and begins to understand why Adele feels safe with Early. Still, it?s not long before things start to unravel for this foursome. As Early?s past becomes increasingly clear, Carrie gives Brian an ultimatum that causes Early to spiral out-of-control. From here on, it?s basically a case of every man for himself.

Yeah, this isn?t a bad film. There are quite a few tense moments where you?re wondering what?s gonna happen next, and the script and cinematography are ?no nonsense?. The acting was good all-round. Pitt was really convincing as the psychotic Early. Juliette Lewis had a definite typecasting issue back then ? poor white trash was her forte in the early nineties! Still, this role suits her ? might have something to do with her scrawny, malnourished appearance ? I just wanted to look after the poor vulnerable thing! She reminded me of a sparrow with a broken wing. The plot held my interest all the way, and the violence wasn?t too over-the-top like so many other genre films of the period. Pulp Fiction it ain?t ? thankfully, as I?m sick of the Tarantino-style murder/humour flick that?s taken Hollywood by storm in the last 10 years. Made in 1993, this is a classic road movie in the same vein as Natural Born Killers, which was released a year later, but with a lot more whistles and bangs a-la-Tarantino. By comparison, I like the simplicity of this film and it?s one I could watch again, as it all holds together well.

THE EXTRAS

Scene selection only.

CONCLUSION

There?s a photo of Early and Adele in the dictionary under the definition of ?poor white trash?. Throw them in the back of a big ol? convertible with a couple of New York yuppies, add a generous serve of tension, a dose of psychosis and STIR. You?ve got the cross-country trip of a lifetime. Will they all make it to California? If you enjoy a classic road movie, you?ll like this 1993 version starring Brad Pitt, Juliette Lewis and David Duchovny. It?s not made in the whizz-bang Tarantino style that glorifies violence, yet this simple story is better, and more believable, than a lot of recent Hollywood production-line jobs that feature people ?on the edge?. So put the kiddies to bed and settle down for a genuinely suspenseful ride through the American ?nightmare?.