Off Ramp

I caught Off Ramp at the Boston Underground Film Festival back in March and was absolutely delighted by this quirky comedy. I haven't laughed this hard during a feature film in years, and what is even more amazing about the movie is that the humor wasn't even the best part. I sat through the movie thinking damn the lighting is incredible. After the film, Nathan Tape the director came up to speak, and he mentioned what he did for a living. He is a professional gaffer. Well, damn, no wonder why the lighting was so awesome. Anyway, I hope this film finds an audience and leads to Nathan being able to make another movie. Sorry, I didn't talk to you at the festival, Nathan, and sorry I didn't give this movie a 10. 9 is pretty darn good though.

Off Ramp starts off feeling like the movie 'Detroit Rock City' as a wacky on the road adventure with friends trying to make it to a concert. Well in this film it's The Gathering Of The Juggalo festival. At first it starts loose and fun then around the half way mark the movie makes an abrupt tonal shift and gets really dark, and not for the better of the film. After that a bunch of whacked out crazy stuff happens. Then it kinda just ends.

This movie is alright but to me it just feels like two completely different films that never quite gel together. And not climaxing with them performing at the festival was a huge mistake! Since these guys kept talking about performing and you see one dude constantly showing that he got over his stage fright, it just feels like a loose end that was never tied up.

I don't know, I honestly wanted to love it but I just found it all to be whatever.

I've never felt more compelled to write a film review. A friend brought this screening idea up to me and we went expecting it to be something to laugh at. Turns out, it's a genuinely earnest, surprisingly wholesome, and impressively executed little movie I'm so glad I saw! It was very clearly done with love and care by people who had something to say and they said it well!

We watched the new Crow remake the day before and it's remarkable how much better this film is by comparison. Two movies trying to have the same emotional core, but one was done with love and the other was The Crow (2024).

I don't want to give anything away, but I wanted to tip my hat to everyone involved. Give this scrappy little gem an honest watch and I think you'll be glad you did.

I saw Off Ramp at the New Orleans Film Festival last year with no expectations, and I fell in love with this movie. I believe that everyone can find something in this film to relate to. I grew up in a small town in Mississippi, and Off Ramp paints a perfect picture of what it's like to be different in the Bible Belt. Watching Trey and Silas on their journey to the carnival is the most fun I've had watching a movie in a long time. I think that a great movie can make you cry and laugh at the same time, and Off Ramp definitely delivers!! I'm so glad this film exists. I'm excited to watch again!!!

In short, Off Ramp is a a beautifully shot story of life and love told through the lens of a subculture I knew almost nothing about : the Juggalos. While I don't see myself going out and painting my face or listening to a ton of Insane Clown Posse records as a result of watching the movie, I was truly moved by the writing and the messages of unconditional love, survival, and family. The performances were also super strong across the board. The casting was impeccable via Hunter McHugh - the leads, Jon Oswald and Scott Turner Schofield brought a beautiful relationship with each other and the Juggalo family to life, and Jared Bankens, Ashley Smith, and Miles Doleac left distinct impressions. I hope that this film catches fire with audiences.