Gasoline Rainbow

This is cinema today, with few means but an urgent and necessary narrative verve, an unrepeatable moment to capture and make dance in the eyes of the spectator. This is a very naïve road movie that goes nowhere, but that's exactly the point. The directionless escape, that botched excitement that exudes sublime and releases the energy of adolescence, of the future without a destination, of the necessary escape. The Ross brothers are attached to their characters, which are an offshoot of themselves, almost, in a maniacal and adorable way, they apply their documentary experience and their authorial sensitivity to a sensitive and delicate subject such as adolescence, always and forever. Always. The truth is in the moment, the escape action is an instinct, the direction is optional, the important thing is the journey and the sensations it gives you, or will give you in the future and the Ross brothers know how to shape this chaos of videos and photos of cell phones, lo-fi digital footage and budding adolescence with thrilling artistry and poetry, letting you dive into the lives of these kids with a rare vitality. A precious and emotional film to reconcile with the present.

"...small-town Oregon who, with high school in the rearview, decide to embark on one last adventure: to make it to a place they've never been -the Pacific coast, 500 miles away."

I don't need everyone who writes about a place to literally be from that place, but maybe a glancing familiarity would be useful, no?

Just look at a map of Oregon. There isn't a town, and there isn't a route, that would make the ocean 500 miles away. It's a bizarre detail to center the entire story around, especially considering these kids could have been from any town further inland.

I don't need 100% accuracy to be invested in a story, but if you're trying to tell an authentic story about a certain part of the world, how can i trust your take on the subject when you don't even know the basic lay of the land?

While Hollywood often dominates the perception of American cinema, the vibrant and prolific world of American independent cinema exists as a testament to the nation's diverse storytelling landscape. Despite its undeniable contributions, European media outlets have often overlooked this rich tapestry of filmmaking, focusing their attention elsewhere. This film, "Gasoline Rainbow," distributed by Mubi and produced by The Match Factory (recently acquired by Mubi), exemplifies this tendency, as Mubi initially seemed to mirror the European disregard for American independent cinema. However, the tide has begun to turn, thanks in part to filmmakers like Sean Baker, who have garnered recognition and acclaim at European award ceremonies, forcing a reevaluation of this overlooked cinematic tradition.

"Gasoline Rainbow" offers a poignant road trip narrative that challenges the idyllic image of the "American Dream" often projected by the United States, a nation that proudly proclaims itself as the "Land of the Free." The film delves into the lives of individuals who find themselves far removed from the idealized version of American life, exposing the harsh realities and struggles faced by many within this supposedly utopian society.

The Ross Brothers, who both directed and served as cinematographers for the film, have masterfully crafted a visual language that complements and enhances the storytelling. Their keen eye for detail and evocative imagery create a captivating and immersive cinematic experience.

The choice of music in the film suggests that the original concept may have centered around Generation Y, but was later revised to focus on Generation Z. This subtle shift in focus adds another layer of depth to the narrative, exploring the unique challenges and experiences of a generation often misunderstood and unfairly criticized.

The negative reviews on platforms like Letterboxd and IMDb are indicative of the unwarranted animosity directed towards Generation Z. These critiques often devolve into ad hominem attacks and bullying, ironically coming from members of Generation Y, the generation closest in age to the film's subjects. This phenomenon inadvertently reinforces the film's central theme of generational alienation and the struggles faced by young people in finding their place in the world. In a sense, the vitriol directed towards the film serves as a validation of its narrative.

Available for streaming on Mubi in stunning 4K resolution with 5.1 surround sound, "Gasoline Rainbow" is a film that deserves your attention. It tells the story of a generation that will shape the future, a generation that you may have overlooked due to preconceived notions. Through its exceptional cinematic language, the film offers a compelling and insightful exploration of the lives and experiences of Generation Z.

The entire movies dialog between characters consists only of drunk teenagers talking. No real conversations, just blabbering. The few lines in between that want to seem philosophical or meaningful, are as empty as the movies storyline. Sounding like quotes, a 14 year old puts on their bathroom mirror, they almost annoyed me.

The only maybe good thing was the camera, it made the movie feel like it was filmed by college students, which gave it a raw creative feeling. Sadly the story felt like it was written by college students as well.

The only time in my life I walked out of a cinema, I wanted to endure it, but the before mentioned philosophical parts were too much to endure.

I created an IMDB account just to give this terrible movie a bad review.

Would not recommend.

Would rather sit around quietly in a room doing nothing than watching a second of this movie.

The movie captures the essence of being young exceptionally well. The uncertainty, the problems, the not knowing what the future holds. Sure, it might lack in some aspects, it doesn't have the life changing quotes or crafted dialogues. But it reminds you of being young. As someone who grew up on the other side of the world, did mischievous stuff with friends and felt confused growing up, i recognised the universal feel of real friendships and love between ordinary people seen in the film. Also, people who rate it as 1 are either too old to remember being young or never had real friends. Brilliant. And remember, life works in mysterious ways.