Desperation Road

Decent enough thriller, and much deserving of better current overall rating of 5.7

Garrett Hedland does a good job in the main male role, though the bigger name of Mel Gibson adds a bit of prestige to the film.

But the main acting honours goes to Willa Fitzgerald who reminds me a lot of Julia Garner which is no bad thing. Not for the first time Ryan Hurst is cast as the villain in the movie, which is getting a bit tiresome now

In summary though a good watch considering how quick the film was made (2 weeks) and probably on a cheap budget, and plenty of worse higher rated similar movies around so give it a shot.

Struggling single mom Maben (Willa Fitzgerald) and her young daughter Annalee return to their home town in the deep south. She tries prostitution at the nearby truck stop when she's picked up by a sheriff deputy. The deputy rapes her and calls for his friends. She manages to steal his gun and shoot him dead. Meanwhile, Russell (Garrett Hedlund) is released from prison and goes home to his father Mitchell (Mel Gibson).

I hate that one giant coincidence in the middle of this movie. It could be lessen if he's the one who spots her first. I do love the gritty southern noir style atmosphere. The actors do good work. I'm even fine with Mel in this one. Ryan Hurst is impressively unhinged. The movie is a bit too long at almost two hours and it's stretched too far after the climax. This is very good except for those two issues.

Based on Michael Farris Smith's celebrated novel, Some audience critics like me call it a "slow burn". That it is, however I think the story was directed as well as it could have been. It was not a disappointing movie though. The story and the acting kept my attention and it was splendid all the way through.

Garret Hedlund, reminds me of a young Sam Elliot and and Willa Fitzgerald are both seasoned actors and did a darn good job staying true to the characters as written. Mel Gibson was in a supporting role in this movie and didn't steal the limelight. He is such a good actor and consummate professional.

. It's not an action movie. It's a story of broken people trying to find their way in life. People that don't have a lot of material means. I highly recommend a viewing.

Clint Eastwood for me is the master of drama. But I have this feeling that Mel Gibson will soon be taking the baton from him. He has been delivering some really amazing pictures. This was so beautiful. The story was adorable. The acting was great. The cinematography was ok. I honestly don't have anything to complain about.

It sure baffles me that this movie has such a low rating. I don't know what else anyone would want to see in this, that would lead them to give it anything less than 6.

Alot of times I had to stop myself from shredding tears. That should tell you how invested I was with this one.

If you love drama, twisted love story, fate, then this movie is for you.

So be prepared to be pleasantly surprised... Garret Hedlund is maybe at his best in years as the ex-con Russel trying to make amends when he hurtled back into his past by the arrival of troubled young mother Maben (Fitzgerald) and her daughter.

Complicating things are run ins with Larry who is out for revenge (Hurst) as well as reconnecting with his ex wife Sarah ( Thomas) who is now re married ; which is actually really moving scene. Mel Gibson lends his star power to his brief yet effective screen time as Russels Dad. Complaints range mostly for the unnecessary heavy handed semotional score.