Paradise Highway

As I sat down to watch the 2022 thriller "Paradise Highway", I must admit that I was definitely harboring some expectations to writer and director Anno Gutto. Why? Well, because the movie had the likes of Morgan Freeman and Frank Grillo on the cast list, plus the synopsis sounded interesting as well.

And sure, "Paradise Highway" is watchable, but it was essentially just a run-of-the-mill rather generic and straight forward thriller. Writer and director Anna Gutto didn't really bring much of anything new or overly exciting to the genre. Don't get me wrong, because "Paradise Highway" is a watchable movie and sort of enjoyable enough. However, I was just expecting a tad more from the movie.

The storyline is straight forward and adequate enough, but the pacing of the narrative is somewhat mundane and slow paced, so while the movie is running at 115 minutes, if feels more like 175 minutes. If director Anna Gutto had upped the pacing of the narrative, then "Paradise Highway" would have been a whole different movie experience.

Now, I am not familiar with Cameron Monaghan, but she performed well in the leading role. And it was nice to see Morgan Freeman on the screen, though it was in a more leaned back sort of passive role though. And as for Frank Grillo, well he was hardly in the movie.

If you overly enjoy thrillers, then perhaps give "Paradise Highway" a chance, you might get a kick out of the storyline. I was only mildly entertained by what writer and director Anna Gutto delivered with "Paradise Highway".

My rating of "Paradise Highway" lands on a very bland five out of ten stars. The movie simply lacked thrilling contents. While having sat through the movie once, this is not a movie that I will be returning to a second time, simply because it doesn't have the contents to support a second viewing.

... manages to keep your attention most all of the time. The story is about trafficking young girls in the Deep South, and the police don't seem to want be on the ball - except for 85 year old Morgan Freeman who is always a pleasure to watch.

The movie is pretty ordinary. Of course you get to see a deglamourised Juliette Binoche which is a plus. She really has got her hands dirty as a truck driver. The point of this film is more to make people aware of human trafficking happening right under your nose maybe. That's how scary it is. I for one never imagined young girls were trafficked in America. That's what makes this an important film. Morgan Freeman's character never really blossomed to its full potential. Surprised he even agreed for this role which is more a supporting one. The young girl has acted well. Hope she gets more roles in the future. Watchable on a lazy day when you don't want to think too much.

So many bad reviews. Not all movies are action hero flicks. It played out slow but I was still riveted. The movies tension was not in body count or how the protagonist was a few steps ahead. The tension was in being (as a viewer) emotionally linked with Sally and Leila. There was no need for CGI in this film which these days I found refreshing. Of course Morgan Freeman delivers a perfect performance as always.

Not a high packed action movie, but a good storyline. The ending let it down a little bit, but not enough to ruin it.

You can imagine this kind of stuff going on so it's pretty much a 'day in the life of' kinda movie. Don't want to say too much and spoil it, because it is worth a watch.

Not popcorn and pizza night standard, but it's still a sit down, put your feet up film.

Morgan Freeman is an obvious draw to the film, but it was good to see that he wasn't surrounded with bad acting like you see in a lot of these movies where big stars seem to appear as supporting characters.

It's a solid 6.