Film Screening: Freeway

Friday, 9/19

7:00 PM - Admission: $5.00

Location: 600 4th St, West Sacramento (corner of 4th & F in West Sac).

Freeway

This 1996 low-budget black comedy indie from Executive Producer Oliver Stone features Reese Witherspoon as the nearly illiterate Vanessa who flees her crack-addicted prostitute mother (Amanda Plummer) and abusive stepfather (Michael T. Weiss) in search of her grandmother. Yep, it’s Little Red Riding Hood all over again, but this time around, the Wolf is a lot worse. When Vanessa’s car breaks down, she’s picked up by youth counselor Bob Wolverton (Keifer Sutherland) who turns out to be the serial killer known as the I-5 Murderer. Vanessa violently turns the tables on him and continues on her way to grandma’s house (or rather, trailer park). A side trip into the criminal justice system ensues along the way and finally culminates in a violent climax. Simultaneously funny, chilling and at times disturbing, Freeway is an odd and unique presentation of our culture of violence. While not really gory, this is also not necessarily for the weak of stomach. Also with Brooke Shields, Brittany Murphy and Dan Hedaya. Nominated for the Grand Jury Prize at the 1996 Sundance Film Festival.

"Freeway'' illuminates our secret appetites. Like all good satire, it starts where the others end. And its actors wisely never ever act as if they're in on the joke. Like it or hate it (or both), you have to admire its skill - Roger Ebert

"Freeway" is rude in the way the truth is rude - only funnier. The movie seduces with its humor, all the while presenting a realized vision of a harsh, absurd world. Has wit and complexity. -- San Francisco Chronicle

With one foot in the grind house and one in the art house, the smarts in "Freeway" are more than equal to its visceral kick. The most impressive debut film I've seen all year. -- Salon.com