Detour

This 1992 remake of the original 1945 movie is one of the few remakes that I have seen that is in most respects a perfect match with the original. It uses the same script, nearly line for line. Most of the camera shots are the same. Some scenes or additional dialogue has been added that probably was in the original script, but not in the original movie from 1945. This movie was made by the son of the actor that had the lead role in the original movie. This movie is in color, but keeps with the "film noir" darkness of the original black and white movie. The acting is, to put it bluntly, terrible. My guess would be that most of it was done in a single take. Other than the acting, the movie is fairly good.

This title is hard to find and I was only able to see it by purchasing it through Amazon.com. It is a faithful Remake of the 1945 Detour and even uses black and white at times to convey the film noir feel. The movie was obviously made on a low budget and at times the production and acting show it. The film was entertaining though and Lea Lavish was excellent as the cynical Vera and Tom Neal Jr. was good in reprising the role that made his father famous.

The dialogue is corney as is the voice over at times, but the original is the same. For fans of the original film, this remake is an interesting throw back to classic noir films. Unlike the horrid remake of D.O.A., this film does not try to modernize the original, but rather tries to faithfully recreate the period and feel of the original. If you come across it give it a chance.