Desperation Road

This doesn't have too many votes yet, but it's a 5.7/10 on here so far. That's just crazy to me! Perhaps many of the people who've rated this film so far, have entirely forgotten, or perhaps never even realized, that they indeed are miracles.

This is a more thoughtful film than most, which in some regard revolves around fate and the human circumstance.

"It's like you wakeup one day, and you're just here. Like a stone, thrown into this world, but you don't know who threw it, or which direction it came from." - Maben

I would say it mostly revolves around two characters who have been through a lot of pain and struggle, and who are somewhat desperately trying to right their own paths.

"Maybe there will be a miracle, some way to begin again." - Maben

Not so sure why they're marketing this as an action genre film. Not a smart choice in my view. It's really not an action film overall. It's mostly a drama/thriller, and there are a few scenes with some action. In my view, marketing this as an action film will quite easily persuade some people to expect much more action than they should from it. And by doing this, the marketing team only sets some of these viewers up for at least some level of disappointment, because the expectation they set is not met. Some advice for the people behind this film, get a new marketing team for your next project. I'm certain there'd be less disappointed reactions if everyone just went into this film thinking that it was a drama/thriller, as it mostly is.

*** Partial Spoiler Below ***

This could be considered a film noir, however the end can't really be seen as dark in my view.

Garrett Hedlund (Russell) "I don't recall anything about no huntin' rifle in the New Testament."

Mel Gibson (Mitchell) "Well, you can only turn so many cheeks, and I only got four, so..."

7.5/10.

I was surprised, as this one flew under the radar (at least for me) but I really enjoyed this flick.

It's slow burn of a movie with a decent grounded story and good directing. Excellent acting performances all around,

The cast offers excellent performances all around.

Willa Ford was very good at portraying the "damaged" mother. I wasn't familiar with Garrett Hedlund but he was excellent as the quite and remorseful antagonist.

I love Ryan Hurst since Remember the titans and Sons of Anarchy and he doesn't disappoint here Mel Gibson is good as the father and even the little girl is excellent and doesn't take you out of the movie (like it happens a lot).

I really recommend it if you want to experience an unassuming movie that punches above it's weight.

So be prepared to be pleasantly surprised... Garret Hedlund is maybe at his best in years as the ex-con Russel trying to make amends when he hurtled back into his past by the arrival of troubled young mother Maben (Fitzgerald) and her daughter.

Complicating things are run ins with Larry who is out for revenge (Hurst) as well as reconnecting with his ex wife Sarah ( Thomas) who is now re married ; which is actually really moving scene. Mel Gibson lends his star power to his brief yet effective screen time as Russels Dad. Complaints range mostly for the unnecessary heavy handed semotional score.

Based on Michael Farris Smith's celebrated novel, Some audience critics like me call it a "slow burn". That it is, however I think the story was directed as well as it could have been. It was not a disappointing movie though. The story and the acting kept my attention and it was splendid all the way through.

Garret Hedlund, reminds me of a young Sam Elliot and and Willa Fitzgerald are both seasoned actors and did a darn good job staying true to the characters as written. Mel Gibson was in a supporting role in this movie and didn't steal the limelight. He is such a good actor and consummate professional.

. It's not an action movie. It's a story of broken people trying to find their way in life. People that don't have a lot of material means. I highly recommend a viewing.

Decent enough thriller, and much deserving of better current overall rating of 5.7

Garrett Hedland does a good job in the main male role, though the bigger name of Mel Gibson adds a bit of prestige to the film.

But the main acting honours goes to Willa Fitzgerald who reminds me a lot of Julia Garner which is no bad thing. Not for the first time Ryan Hurst is cast as the villain in the movie, which is getting a bit tiresome now

In summary though a good watch considering how quick the film was made (2 weeks) and probably on a cheap budget, and plenty of worse higher rated similar movies around so give it a shot.