Truckin' Man

Truck driver Mike Kelly is sure his father's death was no accident. He sets out to prove his crooked boss had a hand in the accident.

This cheap, poorly made movie is barely worth writing about. Just about everything in Truckers Woman (or the more apt title, Truckin' Man) is bottom-of-the barrel - production values, acting, sets, sound . . . you name it and it's probably pretty bad. And unlike a lot of movies of this ilk, it's not sleazy enough to even be a good exploitation film. I will, however, give Trucker's Woman credit on two fronts. First, when it comes to the characters Mike Kelly and Karen Fontaine, they're relationship is somewhat oddly compelling. Second, the music fits perfectly with the film. A low-budget trucking movie set in the South should have a whiney, twangy country music soundtrack.

2/10

This is a TV movie level film. Starring Christian Slater's father--he would later go on to be more successful in several Daytime Drama. Mike Kelly is a typical 70s trucker. He is called in after his father's death and slowly becomes aware that perhaps the old man was murdered by the officials at the trucking company. As Mike investigates, the daughter of the trucking company's owner falls for him--much against the will of her father. Mike--again typical of the 70s male attitude--leads her own, and through a series of misadventures the pair are drawn closer to each other. The film is light, and the humor tries. If you can catch the Rifftrax version you will enjoy it even more.

Starting with its title, which contains a typo ("Truckers Woman," with no apostrophe) this little gem is the ne plus ultra of truly bad film-making. The cast consists of an oddball group of truly bad "actors". Michael Hawkins (who is actually Christian Slater's father)gives a hilariously off-kilter performance as the ersatz butch "Mike Kelly". His leading lady (Mary Cannon) is probably the most unattractive actress ever to be featured in a "starring" role, and couldn't act to save her life. She wears a helmet-like, streak-frosted fright wig throughout, even in her unfortunate nude scenes (she repeatedly exposes only one breast, mysteriously). Doodles Weaver (Sigourney's uncle) play's Mike Kelly's sidekick, Ben, and is obviously smashed throughout. Also, in a bone-chillingly over-the-top performance as "Diesel Joe," Larry Drake (who later won multiple Emmys for his role on TV's "L.A. Law") is hilarious. The writing, the dismal sets and appalling 70's polyester fashions all combine to make this one heck of a great bad film. I'm surprised more folks haven't caught onto this one yet. It's on DVD now on the Turner Classic Movies site...I suggest you RUN to get a copy!

The highlight of this all time turkey is the subliminal shot of pizza that lingers a little too long to actually be subliminal. It's the most subtle and profound part of this film that's otherwise about a bunch of unlikeable characters and the women who inexplicably go to bed with them.

If you missed the 1970's, this film will make you happy you're too young to remember the celebration of trucker culture.

Thank goodness I only watched the Rifftrax version. I can't imagine the regret and self-loathing that would have ensued if I had to watch this movie without their commentary.

Features Larry Drake 12 years before L. A. Law. Proof that aspiring actors just need work, no matter how terrible the work is.

I recently watched Trucker's Woman (1975) on Prime, and it was quite the grindhouse experience. The film follows a young man whose father is killed while driving his big rig. Determined to uncover the truth and seek revenge, he takes up trucking himself. Along the way, he encounters a beautiful woman and a cast of colorful characters who might hold the clues he's looking for.

Directed by Will Zens (The Fix), this films stars Michael Hawkins (Midnight Run), Doodles Weaver (The Birds), Mary Cannon (Raw Deal*), Larry Drake (Darkman), and Don Cummins (Escape from Alcatraz).

This film embodies many of the hallmarks of the grindhouse genre. You get grainy, low-budget cinematography, stiff dialogue, and inconsistent performances. The film's plot is rather clichéd, with a predictable and straightforward storyline. Mary Cannon stands out for her beauty, and there's an attempt at a memorable shower scene early on, though it falls short. The action scenes are corny, and the conclusion is predictable.

In conclusion, Trucker's Woman is a low-budget film that fully embraces its grindhouse roots, but it doesn't offer much beyond that. I'd score it a 4.5/10 and recommend skipping it.