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30 out of 32 people found the following review useful: Much Better Than These Reviews, 13 January 2003 Author: Ron Smolin (rsmolin@ix.netcom.com) from Philadelphia
What's going on with the low ratings of this amazing film? A film filled with quirky scenes and outstanding character bits, this movie has plenty of stuff to keep any film buff intrigued and happy. The two leads do a great job of playing off one another in their madcap escape from inevitable danger, while meeting up with a very odd assortment of characters, such as Jeremy Piven as an off-the-wall drug dealer whose monologue is one of the more dynamic in recent film history; or John McGinley's off-beat role; or Selma Blair's warm and caring nature; or the strange alligator boy; or Seatle's grunge scene; or lots of clever lines of dialog handled quite well by Jared and Jake. This film deserves a round of second opinions, because it's a hell of a lot better than the reviews suggest.
17 out of 17 people found the following review useful: Excellent movie, 20 August 2004 Author: mhpu9
A true movie about true friendship. Many may seem to think that a movie about two male best friends has something "gay" to it, but the truth is that there is nothing homosexual about a true brotherly love and care between two guys. People should break this prejudice. It is entertaining and fun to watch. It is based on a story about two friends (Leto & Gyllenhaal) that go on a road trip to Seattle for two different reasons. Leto's character is running away from their Nevada's home town because of troubles with his employer's wive, and Gyllenhaal's character wants to visit his high school graduation love interest that is now living in Seattle. I strongly recommend you this movie. You won't regret it.
13 out of 15 people found the following review useful: A step away from ordinary..., 24 April 2003 Author: southiepunk from Boston, Massachusetts
There are a few things you have to keep in mind when watching a film like this, where the director's vision is a bizarre, artistic twist on a certain demographic, in this case, outer-Vegas trailer-trash. First off, he is showing some incredible chemistry between two unique characters, who are actually really fascinating people (Leto & Gyllenhaal). Secondly, whoever made a post about this film not holding itself together needs to take a step back for a second. As a film production major, I look for different styles and techniques while watching films. So maybe I just notice the cool little things that the Director does more.... or maybe some people just can't get past the bizarre story. I think this film was designed to take the viewer on a ride that many of them have not been on. The RAVE scenes where intense, and beautifully filmed. The visit to see the Dand-E-fine girls is classic. Gyllenhaal pulls off one of the most convincing stoners ever on film, and the kid is just - the man. Leto is brilliant in anything he ever has or ever will be in, the man is incredibly talented, and this project is no different. Blair does her job, she fits the part... not a huge fan, but it's certainly not a big enough deal to take anything away from the film, on any level. Jeremy Piven is a GOD. PERIOD. He delivers one of the best monologues in recent memory. John C. McGinley is always a nice addition to any movie. So with all these cool things to say about this little indie film, how come everyone doesn't agree? Maybe we weren't looking for the same thing when we watched it. But isn't that the case a lot of the time? Then why bad-mouth this film? They're being petty, that's why. Listen, I think that any film that serves its purpose and entertains should be given a chance... it's a cool little bizarre film. Enjoy.
15 out of 19 people found the following review useful: fun movie, 20 August 2004 Author: Mikko_Elo_
i don't know what everyone's complaining about, a funny movie with pretty people...works for me. but i think i know a bit...lots of people who watched this have seen two movies they think are great;it won't give you spiritual awakenings like donnie darko, it's not as dramatic as requeim for a dream.thankfully. somebody's even complaining about 'happy ending'...pfft.i give it a seven just to promote a rare modern movie that doesn't make me puke with music video cuts and dramatic substance for once.plus i can't recollect seeing a movie that would (even slightly) use the times of grunge as it's background.
13 out of 17 people found the following review useful: Don't Judge A Film By It's Poster, 9 February 2004 Author: Tyler from Sydney, Australia
I've seen the DVD box for Highway sitting on the shelf at my local video store for ages and I've always passed, opting for something else. One day my best friend suggested hiring it, and I thought why not, I wasn't going to hire it any other time. At first glance it looks like your typical teen-targeted product-placement-riddled road movie. Upon watching it, there is much more to this film than its average cover art lets on.Jared Leto is perfect as the hapless pill-popping "God Of F***" Jack Hayes, and Jake Gyllenhaal is equally suited to the role of Pilot, his stoner child-hood pal. Their performances are commendable, as they generate a feeling of genuine camaraderie between each other. John C. McGinley and Jeremy Piven both come out of nowhere with excellent performances as over-the-top drug dealers. And Selma Blair almost fades into the background; she's not a bad actress but doesn't really do anything to make her performances stand out. The story isn't five star material, but it doesn't have to be, and that's where the movie succeeds, it doesn't try to take itself too seriously.Some of the previous reviews for Highway on this site have been particularly scathing, which is fair enough seeing as each person is entitled to their own opinion, but for people who have yet to see it I suggest giving it a chance before pre-forming an opinion. I personally thought it was a fun, fast paced and unpredictable road movie, much better than some other trash released in '02 (e.g. the laughably lame "The Tuxedo", the feeble Mummy series spin-off sword-in-sandal outing "The Scorpion King", and the pretentiously boring "The Hours" to name a few).After reading the previous reviews, one thing is obvious, the reviewers couldn't connect with the film, and just didn't appreciate it for what it was...fun and entertaining, which is what a good film is supposed to be.
6 out of 6 people found the following review useful: Road movie with a difference!, 7 April 2005 Author: Selena Saha (selenas-1) from United Kingdom
Highway is a fun, fast paced movie about two best friends exploring life, love and their friendship. I enjoyed this film so much - although some parts of the film do seem a bit pointless (like alligator boy) the characters and the actors casted to play them, make the film a very worthwhile viewing. It deals with issues such as drugs and prostitution without making big, screaming statements about how people should live their lives - it just tells it how it is! I think a lot of people will relate to it, or at least appreciate the humour and elements of emotion in it. There is also a certain vibe between the 2 male leads (Gyllenhaal and Leto) which could have been explored as sexual chemistry or subtext, but instead was depicted as almost brotherly love - which was fine, but personally i would have preferred the movie minus Selma Blair's character. I recommend it!
9 out of 12 people found the following review useful: What can I say besides I'm shocked?, 2 December 2006 Author: bond_girl26 (bond_girl26@yahoo.com) from United States
This movie blew me away. I wasn't expecting much when I turned on the DVD player. When I turned it off, I called my best friend right away and told her for now on, my name is Pilot. This movie just had everything. Funny, romantic, adventurous, violence, wow. I can't give any analysis here because I just want to tell people straight out, this movie is AMAZING. This will forever be my second favorite movie of all time. And such an amazing cast to top it all off. What more can I say besides it's a shame that this marvelous film is so unknown. Spread the Highway Gospel.BEST. MOVIE. EVER. In caps.
4 out of 4 people found the following review useful: just a fun time, 9 April 2006 Author: drspookyfox from New England
This is a well-acted and perfectly cast movie about a bunch of people on the outskirts of life whose mistakes carry them in the same direction: Seattle. You may not feel deeply enlightened when it's over, but you will have a bunch of laughs on the way. I don't know what happened to this film... it just slipped through the cracks and so everyone passes it off as uninteresting, but I rather thought it was one of those overlooked jewels you are glad to have discovered. The characters are eminently likable and have those appropriate, somewhat subdued emotional journeys that give the film it's real direction. Without a doubt worth the rent.
3 out of 3 people found the following review useful: NOT a waste of time., 26 April 2003 Author: ditkarrific
Count me in to the camp of people who are unable to fathom reviews of this movie that say it's a complete waste of time."Citizen Kane" it is certainly not. But it *is* an entertaining, fairly fresh road trip movie. Leto, Gyllenhaal, and Blair all give good performances.I consulted the reviews on here before sitting down to catch this flick on cable late at night, and decided that I'd give it 20 minutes to prove itself either worthy of 1:45 of my time, or worthy of all the bad reviews it's picked up on here. Needless to say, I watched the whole film."Highway" is a decent off-beat comedy with some very memorable lines and a nice undercurrent of life-long friendship. Check it out... and, remember, "the world is divided into two groups of people-- pandas and alligator-boys." ;)My score: 7 out of 10.
4 out of 5 people found the following review useful: Definitely worth watching, 7 March 2005 Author: liamgelus from Peru
*** This review may contain spoilers ***
OK, so it ain't precisely Oscar or golden globe material, but I have to admit this movie was really fun to watch (even though it is supposed to be drama you can get a really good laugh out of it) specially at the beginning. if you don't like dirty humor and don't tolerate watching the lead of the movie do drugs and have a nice time, then you shouldn't watch this. What I didn't like much about this movie was the part with alligator boy, it kind of disappointed me, even though it had a nice closure, still I don't know, they could've worked it better. At the end, I DO recommend this movie to everyone who's stoned, likes nirvana, likes road trips, or is just bored of classic movies where everybody lives happily ever after, =)
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