Dead Drunk: The Kevin Tunell Story

I plan on making my son and daughter watch this movie before they every get their license. It was a short, but to the point drama about the dangers of drunk driving. Sure you may think you are able to drive and may be lucky and get home safe, but there is always the chance you won't and someone will pay for that mistake in judgment. Hell, it made me rethink about ever driving while having a few drinks in me as well! Once again, please make your teen watch this before he or she ever gets behind the wheel, whether they plan on drinking or not. The dangers are out there, and our kids must be prepared to deal with it, as we can't always watch them.

I teach First Offender DUI classes here in California and we use this movie as part of our curriculum. The flashback scenes really have an impact on our students. Many admit that they would rather spend time in jail than have to be reminded every week for 18 years of the dire consequences of driving under the influence. It would be nice if there could be a filmed update as to the final outcome for Kevin Tunell as the final payment should have been paid over six years ago. I did investigate the ending of Kevin's story recently. Although the movie only shows his first violation of the court order he actually ended up serving over six years in prison and spent another seven years educating teens about the dangers of driving under the influence. He "forgot" to send his payments several times during the course of the sentence. The family originally sued for 1.5 million dollars but settled for the $936, which was placed in a scholarship account in Maggie Glendon's name.

I saw this movie not too horribly long ago whilst coming down from mushrooms. There was an element of irony in that fact, as immediately before the movie, I too had driven under the influence. I watched this movie because I recognized Sam Rockwell and Jane Adams from other films. I have become a follower of Rockwell's work after seeing "Matchstick Men." This film was part of a HBO series that portrays 'families in crisis.' This edition came off as pure propaganda, and nothing more. It was the most trite premise for a drunk driving movie. The EXACT same story you've heard over and over and over and over. Some college frat dude drinks too much, fights with his girlfriend, insists he's sober enough to drive home, and wouldn't you know it? He KILLS SOME GIRL! I was less than shocked by this turn, and was more than bored with the movie as a whole. Unless you, too, are under the influence, this movie is a complete waste of time.

Sam Rockwell (Charlie's Angels, Confessions of a Dangerous Mind) plays Kevin Tunnell, a young man who makes the mistake of drinking and driving and ends up killing a classmate in his senior year of high school. His sentence: on every Friday for the next 18 years, Kevin has to send a check for $1.00 to the parents of the girl he killed.

Kevin struggles to meet this weekly deadline and falls deeper and deeper into regret over the life he took. No happy endings here, folks; this is a true story.

Also, keep an eye out for a small, but powerful, showing by Jane Adams (Happiness, Orange County) as Kevin's girlfriend.

I haven't seen it, but felt compelled to leave a comment...

I went to the same school as Kevin, and was one grade behind him. I remember when this happened. The girl he killed was not a college girl; she was a high school girl that went to the school my wife attended.

This was one of the earliest alcohol-related fatalities in Virginia that sparked the formation of MADD in the DC area. His story was also re-told in Reader's Digest back around '84.

The reason I am posting this, is to say "it's not a fictional movie - it's real". And Susan, the girl he killed, is still dead.

Two nights ago, a neighbor was killed by a drunk teenage girl near my home. The 17 year old GIRL, will end up living the burdened-life that Kevin lives. Folks, for God's sake - drink at home. Keep the car in the garage. Don't kill a mom, daughter or anyone else. It's just too sad. Learn from other's mistakes...