FILM: Breakdown (1997, Jonathan Mostow)

Pete Kirkpatrick ,

Thriller Breakdown is distributed by Paramount. Jeff (Kurt Russell) and Amy Taylor (Kathleen Quinlan) are driving to San Diego when their new Jeep mysteriously breaks down. Passing trucker Red (J.T. Walsh) agrees to drive Amy to the nearest diner so that she can phone for help, but not longer after they go Jeff manages to find and solve the problem. When he gets to the diner, however, everybody tells Jeff that they have not seen Amy and, to his horror, it becomes increasingly apparent that she has been kidnapped. Desperate to save her from her captors, Jeff begins frantically searching for the truck, unaware of the full extent of the dangers that await him.

PROS

  • Jonathan Mostow and Sam Montgomery’s screenplay is concise and consistently fast-paced, in which the tension is gradually escalated, making for a gripping screenplay, which is also very clever and well thought-through as even subtle changes in smaller details could totally change the narrative’s trajectory.
  • Jonathan Mostow brings palpable energy to his direction and prioritises focus upon the characters, yet also masterfully helms some thrilling action scenes that are slickly shot and edited, and feature terrific stunt work (especially in the climax).
  • An excellent lead in Kurt Russell, who gives a very emotive performance and brings a palpable and compelling nervous adrenaline and worried determination to Jeff, whilst J.T. Walsh’s turn as Red has a wonderfully unnerving intensity to it.

CONS

  • Although the conciseness is altogether good, some scenes (particularly dialogue-heavy ones) feel somewhat rushed and end a tad abruptly, whilst a number of the supporting characters are one-note and only really exist as plot devices.
  • Whilst there is not a single bad performance, as a result of the previous point, several supporting cast members are forgettable.
  • Even when confronting the captors during the final act, Jeff is never enraged but more desperate and frantic instead, and the resultant lack of intense confrontation feels like a missed opportunity.

VERDICT: 7/10

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