Vanishing Point

Starring: Viggo Mortensen, Jason Priestly
Directed by: Charles Robert Carner
Rating: Not Rated
Genre: TV, Action, Adventure
1997

Times Seen:
Tim: 1

Summary: After he learns his wife is having labor complications, James Kowalski, an ex-race car driver and Army Ranger speeds towards home on a 1,200 mile trek to get back to his wife. Along the way, the police try to stop him but he resists. This causes a sensation and he becomes a media darling as he tries to avoid the FBI and get home to his very sick wife.

Review:

Tim: I really, really need to stop watching TV movies. I tried really hard to not hold this fact against the movie. It is also a remake, but despite having two strikes against it, this film pulls one for a clean hit (I don't know why I decided to go with the baseball analogy, but anyway).

The story is great, about an ex-ranger, ex-race car driver, Catholic married man who must travel 1,200 miles to get home to his pregnant and sick wife. Along the way he is chased by cops and feds and helped by some unlikely allies.

The car chases and crash scenes are ver intense as our hero is always seconds and inches away from being captured or killed. However, the real drama comes from the human elements- this is just a story about a man trying to get home to his wife.

Viggo Mortensen is very good in the starring role. He is convincing in all aspects of the character and is actually quite an enjoyable hero. I can't believe I am saying this, but Jason Priestly is very, very good as The Voice. He gives our quiet hero a voice, as he works to turn public opinion in favor of our hero.

When you add in a Native American and the aid he gives to Mortensen, you have a fairly different and complete movie. With an interesting and a bit shocking of an ending, this movie might just restore your hope in TV movies...maybe.

Rating 1-10
Tim's Rating: 7



If You Enjoyed This Movie, We Recommend:
Vanishing Point (1971), Hidalgo