• Feature debut of Jim Cummings who also writes and “performs” (per closing credits) the lead here in Thunder Road taking its title from the Springsteen song (which is not in the film)
  • A stirring character study of a man in freefall
  • Starts with a 12 minute shot of the eulogy—his emotional speech, dancing. It is vulnerable, sad, affecting, profanity-laden, funny… then the title credits- nice touch
  • Cummings’ Officer Jim Arnaud—swings in character without being inconsistent, comes off as realistic actually- a person you’re almost always afraid around, he’s spiraling out of control, had a divorce, his stressful job at work, dyslexia, mother’s death, losing custody of his daughter
  • Loves the term “slicker”- haha. As in “is this what you wanted out of your life? Hanging out with two slickers in a car outside of a dillard’s?”- ha
  • He’s like half Michael Douglas’ character in Schumacher’s Falling Down– and half Owen Wilson in Bottle Rocket
  • Indie-king Macon Blair shows up for a great scene with Cummings- he plays Cummings’ daughter’s teacher – like the “foodie with a booty” coffee mug his sister has
  • Like the opening scene, there’s a strong scene in the parking lot outside of the police station 1 hour in. Unraveled—nice pairing with the opening.
  • It is a enormous performance – there’s often legitimate pain and humor coming from him in back to back sentences
  • Recommend but not in the top 10 of 2018