Customer Reviews

Interstate 60

5 star:		(44)
4 star:		(19)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(5)
1 star:		(6)

 

 

Take a pinch of MR. DESTINY and THE FAMILY MAN, add a dash of TWILIGHT ZONE and BACK TO THE FUTURE, throw in a healthy portion of THE WIZARD OF OZ, shake the mix vigorously, and you'll have the recipe for Bob Gale's wonderfully inventive fantasy, INTERSTATE 60, one of the best 'indies' of 2002.

A comic American tall tale of half Leprechaun/half Indian O.W. Grant (Gary Oldman, who is totally terrific!) who grants individuals one 'wish', but has a wickedly funny way of fulfilling them literally, and the young man (James Marsden) he takes a liking to, INTERSTATE 60 satirizes truth in advertising, our fixations about sex and justice, 'legalizing' drugs, and the American 'Dream', without ever becoming 'preachy' or boring. The film is as adventurous and unpredictable as the title highway of the film.

Marsden is Neal Oliver, a likable 22-year old who dreams of becoming a serious painter, reads comic books, peels his grapefruit, and has visions of a gloriously beautiful fantasy woman (Amy Smart). His girlfriend and father, however, have made different plans for him, involving law school, and a 'prestige' job. While trying to decide his future, Oliver takes an assignment from the mysterious 'Ray' (Christopher Lloyd, making a welcome return to the big screen) to deliver a package to 'Danver, Colorado', via the mysterious Interstate 60. Joined by the likable, if enigmatic Grant, the young man begins a journey that will determine his destiny.

With cameos by Michael J. Fox, Kurt Russell, Chris Cooper, and Ann-Margret, INTERSTATE 60 is filled with so many quirky characters and oddball situations that you may want to view it a second time, just to catch things you may have missed, the first time around.

This film is a gem, vastly underrated. If you take a chance on it, you may find yourself searching for the 'Red Spades and Black Hearts' in your own life!

Definitely a KEEPER!

I had never heard of this film before I rented it and the description of it made me think it was going to be a rather generic low budget comedy, but I was pleasantly surprised. The director, Bob Gale, was the screenwriter for Back to the Future and the star of that series, Michael J. Fox, has a cameo in this far more independent and original film. When I say "original" I should qualify that by pointing out that some of the elements are common. A young man named Neal (James Marsden) wants to be an artist, but his father is pressuring him to go to law school. He is granted a wish by a magical man who is part leprachaun (Gary Oldman, who I would not have recognized if he hadn't been identified). Yet Interstate 60 takes this fairly standard light fantasy theme and weaves it into a very creative and unpredictable tale of eccentric characters and bizarre circumstances. Neal's choice of a wish is rather general: he wants answers. So he is given an 8 Ball that is uncannily accurate (though it occasionally disappoints with answers like "can't really say"). Neal is given a package to deliver to someone in a city called Danver (not Denver). He must take Route 60, which is not on any map. He is also hoping to meet his dream girl, who keeps appearing on billboards that appear blank to everyone else, and avoid a mysterious killer of whom he has been warned. Along the way he meets many unusual people, including a woman who is collecting sexual conquests, a man with an obsession for telling the truth that borders on insanity and a whole town full of people hooked on a drug called Euphoria (this episode can be seen as a cautionary parody of what might happen if drugs are legalized). He also visits a town run by lawyers where everyone is suing everyone else and a "fake" museum where the fakes are real. These descriptions, however, don't do justice to the film. The "episodes" (under the film's title at the beginning is the caption "Episodes of the Road") could have come across as heavy-handed morality tales, but here they are played out in a meandering, playful way where the outcome is never obvious. Neal's objective of reaching Danver and delivering the package is of secondary importance. Even the "answers" he finally receives at the end, which are quite obvious, are not half as important as the road he has to literally take to find them.

I came across this gem of a film in the preview guide for the video store I work at, and got immediately intrigued. The movie premise, A mysterious mystical man sends a disaffected youth on the strangest road trip of his life, was basic enough. But the cast (Gary Oldman, Christopher Lloyd and Chris Cooper joined the true star James Marsden...surprise Cameos abound, though!) was stellar, and the writer's previous credit of Back to the Future is about as good as it gets, so I took a flyer on it.

I was not disappointed.

Despite the trap of a simple and overplayed concept, this film deftly sidesteps the pitfalls many an independent feature falls into. Part of this is due to the 'guest' cast. Though Marsden is competent, it's the appearances by Lloyd, Oldman, Cooper, and some great surprise cameos that entertain and surprise you at each stop on this journey. But equally responsible is a script with depth and intelligence, posing a few hypothetical 'What ifs' rather than just strange stuff for laughs. The script might be fairly predictable, but it's just wild enough to keep you on guard, and that's part of it's charm. Although the morals are obvious (and in the case of drugs, hammered in with 'Snake' like precision), the script keeps from being preachy.

The filmmaking technique and cinematography aren't anything special, but they also aren't loaded with the gaffes or mistakes you can catch in many independent features. Though this movie isn't independent by any means, it feels like it, which can only be a good thing. The screen shows you exactly what you need to know, nothing more, nothing less.

Overall, this is a charming movie in the same way that 'Playing by Heart' was; nothing challenging, but great performances by actors with a script with genuine heart. Great for dates and pick me ups, and an absolute gem to find at your local video store.

Bob Gale, the creator of the Back to the Future series, writes a brillient and well thought movie that will really make you think and even give you a look at life that you may not have thought of before.

A young man who is at a cross roads in his life (James Marsden) makes just one simple wish "He wants an answer." A trickster who happens to grant just one wish and only one wish to those that ask (Gary Oldman) gives him his one wish, but it is anything but a simple wish.His wish takes him on a mysterious journy along an unlisted highway , Interstate 60. It's not on any map and it is a road that holds many intersting and unique towns. All that in a way take a look at his own life and what could be.

After he meets with a mysterious man named Ray (Christopher Lloyd) he agrees to do a special delivery for him to a town named Danver. The only way to get there is by taking I-60. He recieves a simple magic 8 ball that will give him the answers to his questions. But his wish is far from over, once he gets on the interstate things have just begun. Along the way he meets the trickster himself, the girl of his dreams and towns that are filled with lawyers, drug addicts and people who demand only the truth and nothing but the truth or they will blow you up. Bob Gale comes up with some of the most creative characters ever and you really do get involved in the situations that James Marsden's character finds himself in. Every decision he makes leads to a new twist, every town he comes to makes him think of what it means in his own life and nothing is really what it seems.

This movie is a lot of fun and a great watch. I truly enjoyed it and am glad I purchased it. The creator of the Back to the Future series still has it and even brought in Michael J. Fox for a cameo at the begining to add to the familiarity. Just the thoughts and ideas that they pass through this movie will make any watcher think of thier own lives and how they see things in our own reality. Many cameos and many stars fill up this movie. It's a shame it never was released in theaters as I truly think it would have been a sleeper hit. But it works just as well on DVD either way.

Now it's time to take a ride on Interstate 60.. a journy on a roadway like no other. Just be sure to buckle your seatbelt as it's one heck of a ride.

I had never heard of this movie before, but I'm a fan of the writer/director (Bob Gale) who also did "Back to the Future." So when I saw it at the rental store, I figured I'd give it a try.

I was happily surprised. The movie spoke to me on a personal level...I immediately identified with the main character and his "journey" through life. The movie dives in deeper with more metaphors on life and human nature, in a fun and entertaining way. It's a good film if you just want to sit back and enjoy something--it's a great film if you want to look a little deeper at the meaning behind it all.

The acting is great. The story flows smoothly. And it kept me guessing the whole way. I loved this movie so much that I had to go out and buy it. This is now a new addition to my favorite DVDs.

Thank you, to the writer/director, cast, and crew! It may not have done well in the box office ... but it was a blockbuster success in my own heart, my own life. Thank you.

(btw-I noticed the red spades right away. ;)

A slightly offbeat movie with a great cast. Unique idea which is well executed - kind of like the "Twilight Zone," but more upbeat and with a happy ending (if you want it to be happy). Be careful what you wish for!

Well worth taking a look at. You'll like it. Really.

I really liked this film. It's off the wall & quirky, with some fine amusing moments & plenty to think about. It works as pure entertainment & it works on another level---either perception or both it's a worthy rental or purchase. You could look at it symbolically or just watch for fun. A definate (not preachy) reminder that the way you look at things can change what things are, on the road of your life. See if you can spot all the cameos; I found myself wondering if I might have missed some.---After a second viewing (once I bought it) I like this movie even more. Don't let the slight cheeseness up front fool you. Once it warms up this is a great movie. A very entertaining story & a good reminder; the way we look at things effects what we see.

This Movie is AWESOME.I first saw this at the comic-con in san diego back in august 2002.Bob Gale was there an even though it wasnt in a theatre it was one of the best movie experiences ive had in along time.
The movie has alot going for it too.Its a road adventure movie.Every town has a theme and the main charater neil oliver is someone i think alot of people can relate too.
Gary Oldman gives one of his best performances EVER,and thats saying alot from a master actor.
The story for the movies simple,neil wants to be an artist,his dad wants him to be a lawyer.He meets gary oldman in a restraunt while celebrating his b-day {gary oldmans a wish granter named O.W.Grant} and grants neil his wish.This leads him to I60 which takes him on many adventures to different towns and ontop of that he's delievering a package and chasing the girl of his dreams.
All and all I60 is one of the best movies ive seen in along time.Bob Gale and the rest of the world got screwed because they didnt realease this movie world wide.It's certainly a movie that deserves it.

I originally downloaded this movie without having any knowledge of it's content. After watching it 6 or 7 times I purchased the retail version. I showed it to friends and family and all of them at least liked it. Many loved it. I have since purchased copies for 5 of my 6 children. The 6th will get a copy when she's old enough. It isn't a movie for those under 17. It has some pretty rough language in spots but no nudity. The story is original and there's a nice ending. I was amazed that no one has ever heard of it considering the cast... Michael J Fox, Gary Oldman, Kurt Russell, Christopher Lloyd, Ann Margret.. You can sum my thoughts up with 3 words... I Loved It!

Neal Oliver is a young man looking for guidance in deciding his own future: should he become the artist he's always dreamed of being--and risk the financial pitfalls that can come with artistic pursuit--or take the safe road his father wants to pave for him and become a lawyer. At his birthday party he wishes to find the answers to his life, and that wish is granted by the mysterious O.W. Grant, who sends him down Interstate 60, an unlisted highway that doesn't officially exist. Along the trip, Neal has a series of mini adventures, each one a parable of the turmoil he faces in his life. The people he meets and the things he does give him the insight he's been looking for. This is a light-hearted and engaging fantasy that makes us all wonder at the choices we make in life and why we make them. It tells us that the answers we seek are all locked inside us; the questions we ask determine if we find those answers. It's a little piece of magic well-executed with a smart script, a good cast, and a knowing director.