Moonshine Highway

Watched this on a Sunday afternoon not expecting much. I was pulling for Randy Quaid but the movie is a good watch all the way around. Very enjoyable.

I sat down and turned on the tube as this TV movie was about to begin. I knew nothing about this film but as the first few scenes went by it was clear that there was a talented filmmaker at work. I know nothing what so ever about Mr. Armstrong, the director, but that is bound to change. The film kind of reminded me of Roberto Rodriguez's work, in its love of old rock'n roll, car chases and cool characters that talk cool. But by saying that I am not taking anything away from Mr. Armstrong's highly stylised originality. It would be and probably will be interesting to see what Mr. Armstrong could do if given a higher budget and a bigger platform on which he can display his considerable talent.

This is a great film - why the hell is this so rare??? Distributers should be all over this .... morons! Anyone who says this is crap is a jerk. Enjoy!

Set in mid 50s somewhere in Tennessee. As it seems, A Hot Rod Lincoln is setting the pace. Custom built for hauling moonshine, and avoiding the revenue department representatives, Car Chases abound. Pay attention here as the cars run like there on rails. No body roll in the curves, no one wheelie peeler when they blast off. Adult scenes as Sheriff's ex-wife struggles against Randy Quaid giving it all he has. I really admire films like these where a small budget means only a motivated cast working hard on rather plain sets can shine. Looks like the money was spent in the right places. Were it to show. The biggest point of why moonshine exists would have been lost to flash and dazzle that just could not exist in that place in that time. Some reviews seem to take issue that films are made by well to do yankees who can't possibly act well enough to be convincing and I just don't know how to address that because it is true. Most films require a little suspension of belief to get the most out of them. Even if they don't happen a long time ago in a Galaxy far, far away.

Saw this flick and thought it was the worst waste of celluloid I have seen in years. I live in Tennessee and believe me, this Canadian flick (yes, CANADIAN) has little bearing on the state of moonshining in the 1950's. Avoid it like a case of the clap.