Joyride

I found this watchable in the sense that it passed the time. As for if it had an entertaining story and engaging character, uh-uh. It's hard to sympathize with these youths because they seem too arrogant, and also unbelievably naive at times. As for the story, it doesn't seem to know where it's going. First we see the youths struggle, then we see them get involved with a big plan, then their subsequent escape, then... well, the movie after that point has even less of a clue what to do. To top it off, there's no real ending. The "joy" comes from the producers who took ticket-buyers on a "ride" - though I doubt this sold many tickets.

"Joyride" is an independent 1977 road flick starring the sons of Desi Arnaz (and Lucy) & John Carradine and the daughters of Tippi Hedren & June Lockhart.

THE STORY: Three footloose youths, two guys and a girl (a young Melanie Griffith) all around the ages of 18-20, decide to leave their dead-end jobs and travel to Alaska. They have some half-baked plan to become salmon fishermen, but they're more likely just looking for adventure, fun and possibly a sense of purpose. Unfortunately they're forced to pick up other dead-end jobs, including working for the oil pipeline. Desperation leads to crime where they acquire a hostage (Anne Lockhart).

I never heard of this film before and took a chance picking it up. I was under the impression that it was a fun 70's car-chase flick like "Eat My Dust" or "Grand Theft Auto." Although it shares aspects of those types of films I was surprised to discover that "Joyride" is essentially a serious road flick, the second half taking on elements of "Bonnie And Clyde." Although this is a fairly low-budget independent film it's quite professionally made. The Washington locations are great and the acting is fine. Anne Lockhart is easy on the eyes and Melanie isn't bad either.

I encourage you to read M.G. DaVega's review on Amazon from May 11, 2008, because he accurately points out what may turn some viewers off. The story has a meandering vibe because the kids are living aimless lives. They're not necessarily "bad kids" or unlikable (although they later turn bad via bad choices); in fact, one part of the story shows one of the guys boldly taking a stand for what's right while working security for the pipeline, but it ends up costing them. DaVega rightly argues that the viewer is unsympathetic towards the youths because they increasingly turn to crime as the story progresses. He calls them "half-wits" who do stupid things and engage in unsavory & deplorable acts like shoplifting, public drunkenness, pissing contests (literally), auto theft, breaking & entering, and armed robbery of the pipeline company.

DaVega also points out that they (seemingly) learn no moral lesson through their experiences and are not much different at the end than at the beginning.

These valid criticisms will certainly turn some viewers off, but I'd like to point out that the events in the story aren't even close to being as morally shocking & appalling as in, say, 1966's "The Wild Angels."

Although the characters seemingly learn no moral lesson, the film itself is a moral lesson, not to mention it smacks of reality. I can remember when I was in my mid-to-late teens, living an aimless existence and doing incredibly stupid things, just as dumb and senseless as depicted in this movie. So I can relate to the kids, their situations and foolish choices. Simply put, "Joyride" is a portrait of lost, fallen humanity. The title is sarcastic because the kid's adventure is more laborious and miserable than fun and joyful, not that there aren't any lighthearted moments.

The film successfully depicts the meaningless, aimless and darkened nature of life "under the sun," in particularly for those who are unaware of the designs of the Creator, or who simply refuse to seek/acknowledge the Almighty. Read the relatively short ancient book of Ecclesiastes to get my drift.

***SPOILER ALERT*** Anyway, the picture ends with the kids getting lost and stranded in the Northwest wilderness, which is reminiscent of that family that got stranded near the Rogue River in Oregon not many years ago.***END SPOILER***

BOTTOM LINE: DaVega is wrong to say that anyone who likes this film has "extremely low standards for movies." I can see why the film turned him off, but his objections are based solely on moral grounds. This doesn't mean "Joyride" isn't worthwhile or well-made for an independent 70's flick. On the contrary, the meandering story keeps the viewer's attention (which is pretty much the most important gauge for discerning the worthiness of a picture), and the film itself makes a potent moral point about the fallen nature of humanity. Plus the viewer gets a good glimpse of what it was like to work on the pipeline back then.

If nothing else, "Joyride" is worth seeing because it's like traveling back in time to 1977.

GRADE: B

(1977) Joyride DRAMA/ ADVENTURE

Co-written and directed by Joseph Ruben that has three friends of Scott (Desi Arnaz Jr.), Susie (Melanie Griffith) and John Lerner (Robert Carradine) quitting their current jobs to drive up to Alaska to purchase themselves their own fish boat. And of course, things does not go accordingly, as there car got broken into, leaving them with much money, forcing them to seek other means of employment at the pipeline. And when that did not work, forced them to do things they would not necessarily do such as rob the pipeline office, before abducting an employer, Cindy Young (Anne Lockhart) to which Scott coincidentally had met before. At this point, viewers have no idea how they are going to end up, or whether they are going to remain with each other at all. In other words, this is an exploitation movie as it has nudity and action to robbery in the most unusual of circumstances as each event or choice they turn to is unexpected.

As I watch this movie, it's one of those movies where the characters have a lot of good intentions but appear to experience a lot of bad luck, such as by the time they arrive to Alaska, their car gets broken into with their hard earned money left in the car, before their own boss, Frank Sanders (Tom Ligon) was caught stealing from the pipeline company, and he retaliates by forcing them to quit the jobs he landed for them after Scott wanted to do the right thing. And if that wasn't enough, Scott gets physically assaulted by the pipeline workers from orders by Frank Sanders. Placing them with one unfortunate circumstance after the next, motivating them into a situation to steal their groceries from a super market as they do not get paid enough, rigging cars, while Susie continues to get harassed by her employer while waitressing at a diner. Yep, that was what it was like during the 1970's and more no matter what city they reside to. In other words, they are the anti-hero's of society itself, and put into circumstances they are incapable to foresee themselves which is why I was rooting for them until the very end. As I liked the way the movie had ended unlike other films that consist of a similar theme, such as "Thunderbolt and Lightfoot" for instance. This movie gets 70%.

This movie, unfortunately, brings up some of where I grew up. Basically we have some late teens or early twenties on road trip. ( The actors are older than that but I think that's what they're trying to represent).

So they steal cars and wreck them. Also they had a hostage situation but it ended up with the girl being okay as a matter of fact she kind of joined them.

I grew up in a low rent place and the people in this movie reminded me of the people I grew up with. Not much morals. But steal a few things. Even the adults where I grew up stole things or cheated people. Yeah I grew up in a low rent town in Upstate New York and that's what this movie reminded me of.

Also they wrecked a couple of nice cars including a '68 Dodge Charger and what I believe is a 68 Mercury Cougar. Of course they're all classics today. Just a one-time watch for me.

Joyride (1977) is a movie I recently watched off Amazon Prime. This classic focuses on three best friends who pool their money together and decide to move to Alaska, get jobs, continue to add to their pool of money, and become successful salmon fishermen. They failed to understand how expensive everything was in Alaska and their plan quickly begins unraveling. This movie is directed by Joseph Ruben (Dreamscape) and stars Robert Carradine (Revenge of the Nerds), Melanie Griffith (Working Girl), Anne Lockhart (Aliens vs Predator) and Desi Arnaz Jr. (House of Long Shadows). The storyline for this is awesome and in line with similar films from this genre like Dirty Mary Crazy Larry. The car scenes are fun but the characters are so well cast, written and executed. I really enjoyed every character. Some of the storyline and circumstances are tough, some of the decision making is bad, and most of this is sad, but I still loved the characters and grit of this film. This is really an underrated movie that is a must see and grindhouse gem. I'd score this a solid 8-8.5/10.