This theatrical remake of the 1978 TV movie enhances that simple story, bringing more dilemas and situations to the competent truck driver Jorge
(Carlos Alberto Riccelli) and his important mission while crossing Minas Gerais to deliver an important cargo as requested by his boss/friend Mário
(Dean Stockwell, from "Quantum Leap" and "Blue Velvet" fame). It's an improvement of the original material that removes the easy solutions and the
humor from the characters and situations, and it brings more challenges to Jorge as he questions about the value of work, the value of friendship and
loving relationships whenever he has the chance to have one.
It's a very good movie when it comes to the discussion on how business and friendship can go along, if possible such a thing or not. Jorge puts
Mário into such a high regard that it's unbelievable. Of course, the boss is charming and always promises to take care of his employée, with some
smooth talk about helping him out whenever he needs, or even planning about they become business partners at the truck company. Problem is that
everyone around Jorge sees that he's being exploited, always on a hurry to answer Mário's demands, and the work only gets harder and impossible each
new shipment comes by, and he and his mates face many dangers, road blocks, destroyed bridges, armed people and it's up to him to find solutions or
some improvisation in order to get the job done. The whole road movie scenario with Jorge and his mates driving through a series of obstacles are really
good to watch, it's a series of dramatic and thrilling challenges that always get worse and we keep on suspense trying to figure how if they can succeed
it or not.
Another great added element to the story relates with his troubled love life, as he deals with a girlfriend (Glória Pires) who is annoyed by his lack
of commitment as he's too focused on his work and always distant from her; and later on he meets a waitress (Denise Dumont) who awakens some different
and positive feelings on him as he begins to notice more about life than he never did before.
What prevents this movie in becoming something of a wider appeal are the excessive use of music score (nice themes but it's all over the place);
an unnecessary use of voice-over as most of what Mário narrates and reflects are things he could say to other characters, it's redundant at times; and
a more defined ending. The story works as an interesting look on the reality faced by truck drivers, their difficulties and their camaraderie through
dire situations, and on good moments too. But I must say it's quite a clean version of situations, as the film doesn't explore more dangerous areas we
get from the news with some (not all) workers use of medication and drugs to keep awake for long hours.
Yet it's quite real about the dangers of the job.
For all its obstacles where everything seems pessimistic, the film offers some positive light on truck drivers and how they love their job despite
countless problems. 7/10.
