Thunder Road

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I wasted 90 minutes of my life watching this movie. I dont see how people can love this movie : there is no story and no comedy in it. Do not do the same mistake I did by watching this thing. Instead, you can do a lot of things in 90 minutes.

This film is obviously not for everyone, and if you're expecting a 'rom-com' you might find yourself disappointed. That said, 'Thunder Road' delivers its somber-toned narrative with nuanced humor and finesse. This was my personal introduction to Jim Cummings (who wrote, directed, and starred in the film), and in spite of the many reviewers' complaints that his character was unlikable, I must say that I was duly impressed (having experienced an unusual mix of empathy, pity, levity, and bemusement in response to his performance). It seems pretty apparent that Cummings wrote the role of 'Officer Jim Arnaud' with himself in mind for the part, and for that reason was uniquely capable of so adroitly navigating that ambivalent tight-rope that is the comedic drama (or dramatic comedy... or what-have-you). To those reviewers angrily contesting the categorization of this film (as 'comedy') I would ask you to think back to the tragicomedies of old and to remember that all is not black and white.

I'd need to preface this that this movie is in no way, in my opinion, a comedy. This movie is a drama and is meant to pull the heartstrings. It does this pulling well.... eventually (read the rest). Most of the movie seems to be a show of how the main character has it going against him. The movie does, eventually (and I mean a long eventually), shows how the main character becomes the hero of the story to what's important. With that out of the way... Every character in this movie is gutter trash in one way or another. Enjoy the movie as a time waster and a, again extremely long eventual, heartstrings puller. The hero, the wife, the child, the boss, and every character in this movie, expect the dead mother, are all extremely horrible to each other. Horrible comedy, even as a dark one. Abysmal drama tbh. Don't waste your time on this one; I wish I hadn't.

This is just a sad drama - Nothing to do with comedy at all! Waiting for a turning point with some "thunder", but no, none of that either. 6 points for good lead actor. -7 for not delivering on the genre.

It's hard to pull off the comedy drama genre but they did big-time in this one! I've laughed hard that I cried but this film was diff because I laughed and sad-cried at the same time.

It's not often I enjoy a film with such constant tonal shifts throughout, but I did with this one. The film essentially made me laugh, made me emotive and made me think - which is all a viewer can ask for really. Right from the extraordinary opening monologue, the film grabs the viewer and reels you into the heady mix of comedy and tragedy. Some are going to hate this movie because of that. There are moments of black comedy placed into scenes of real drama - which shouldn't really work. But it does. For me at least. The focus is on single parenting, life, stress, happiness, anxiety, mental health, love. Jim Cummings wrote, directed and starred in it - and you can tell he totally believed in this project by the performance he puts in. Although he can possibly be accused of overracting at times, he is quite brilliant at others. There are some flawed moments - some real "wtf" scenes with a potential dealbreaking third act. The placement of comedy is the talking point in many places. But overall I would recommend this movie for those who are suckers for an indie dramedy. 7.5 / 10.

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source: Thunder Road

As somebody from the U.K. critiquing a US drama it is a difficult job, especially when nuances, way of life and local daily life is so difficult to encapsulate for somebody who does not live and breathe life in a certain country, state or even town. Again, whilst I found Jim an anomaly of a character, somebody I do not recognise in the U.K. per se, I embrace that this could be normal in small town America. I did not dislike it, in fact the acting and pathos ran well with a viewers affection for the main cast and I always welcome a film that feels strong enough to omit (sometimes annoying) background music. That said, anything named after a song by the 'Peoples Poet' and one of my all time favourite songs I would like some reference to it and perhaps for it to be a backdrop to the film. Now I could be missing a trick here that the song was never played for a deeper meaning, but it would have served the film better, in my opinion, if this was a haunting backdrop to the crises being played out. When all said and done, a solid effort that improved as it progressed.