Tail Lights Fade

This is not a great film but it clips along and is pretty entertaining. It was made here in Vancouver, probably cheaply, and it has some nice scenery and good acting. Jake Bussey is lively and Denise Richards is great to look at and the supporting actors, including Jaimz Woolvet from 'Unforgiven' are good and often quite funny. It has a plot and some hip references and I would certainly recommend this film, in particular to anyone who likes road movies.

This was a really good movie. Considering it is a Canadian indie film, and not a big studio commercial production, it is well done. The story is interesting, characters are funny, and they drive cool cars. The photography looked really good, and there were some shots (like the fireworks on the sunset, and the opening credits) that are very well done. The only problem I have with the actors is Ms. Berkley, who doesn't do a very good job convincing me she's a drug queen...all I can think of is Saved by the Bell. Denise Richards looks great as always, and her acting is much more convincing than some of her other flix. The soundtrack is alright, and the subtle humor made me smile. If you like smaller budget films, this is a great one to check out. One of the best movies I've seen this year.

I rented this movie for three reasons:

1) It has Jake Busey in it; he has a massive jaw. 2) It has Denise Richards in it; she has massive...forget it. 3) It looked stupid.

On all three accounts I was left satisfied. This movie involves marijuana and relay racing and Denise Richards and Jake Busey, and Breckin Myer who I am a fan of. All three of them are stars. Some would claim Jake Busey is not a star, but he is at least the son of one...three Hurrahs for hereditary oligarchy!

Anyhow if you are looking for an intelligent movie, steer clear of this...but aren't intelligent movies overrated?

The film starts out with an interesting musical score complimenting the cinematography of two contrasting vibrant red and green sports cars travelling along the city of Toronto's Queensway Boulevard driven by Jake Busey and Breckin Meyer. The story evolves around the two pals Jake Busey and Breckin Meyer agreeing to travel from Toronto to Vancouver with their respective babes Denise Richards and Tanya Allen in their passenger seats in an effort to clean out a marijuana grow operation that belongs to Tanya Allen's imprisoned brother played by Jaimz Woolvett, before the police discover its whereabouts. Woolvett's girlfriend played by the less than stellar actress Elizabeth Berkley is also trying to find out where her imprisoned boyfriends grow op is located so that she can harvest the crop and sell it for her own financial gain.

So we experience a road trip of sorts with pit stops along the way that includes stops at strip bars, restaurants and the odd road kill. An endless stream of blathering arguments ensue amongst the four weary traveller's but little else of any substance.

I enjoy a good road trip themed film that has a purpose in mind, but Tail Lights Fade although a low budget film, was not very interesting, and I found the ending extremely weak and the way to leave an audience disappointed. One of my favourite road trip movies was the 2010 release of MY OWN LOVE SONG starring Forest Whitaker, Renee Zellweger and Nick Nolte. Hands down, if you wanted to make a choice of which film to see, my advice would be to see the latter and avoid Tail Lights Fade.

Tail Lights Fade" presents itself as Canada's answer to the "Cannonball" films. With a little better pacing it could have been one. Unfortunately it is simply too slowly paced. After watching for awhile with nothing happening but talk, one tends to get bored. Many of the actors seemed bored as well. The only person who really shows some life is a very tattoo covered Elizabeth Berkley. She actually seems to be enjoying herself.

The film is not without merit however. There are enough interesting scenes to justify watching. The ending segment is particularly well presented. I'd say watch it but don't expect the moon.