So here we are, 1994. A particularly grim time in the eyes of most Americans. This film and its emphasis on the 'Grunge Scene' seem at first, heavily asserted; at its core however, Highway is a much more personal buddy film which formidably tackles much more 'people' issues rather than issues concerning society.
One cannot ignore the talent displayed in acting so dramatically suited to this film and its setting. Blair does her role justice, her 'shrouded past' is aptly suited to her almost faceless, masked characteristics. McGinley likewise takes on his wacky, very eccentric role well. It is the chemistry between Jared Leto and Jake Gyllenhaal however that gives this film a serious purpose. You know when you were 16 and your best friend hooked up with that girl you'd been talking to for months on end after he'd talked to her very briefly? That friend is Jared Leto, who's 'God of ****' is exactly what it says on the tin (the lucky bastard). Gyllenhaal then is Letos Watson to his Holmes or perhaps his Robin to his Batman. Gay undertones aside, Gyllenhalls spacey 'Pilot' bounces off of Letos Jack wonderfully, creating genuinely likable and different characters.
As for the film as a work, directing is up to scratch, Cox has done a fine job in capturing the 90s grunge movement (if such bland circumstances are in fact possible to capture)and really shines where humour in the film is presented with a basic 'if it's funny, the camera will be all over the bloody shot' theory. Flashbacks are seamlessly weaved in to the plot in order to create depth to Jack and Pilot whilst the sheer scale of the boys' adventure is never really enforced, possibly appropriately.
Highway succeeds in presenting us with a touching if slightly unoriginal best friend/jealousy tale, the acting shines through in this as we are constantly reminded (often through Gyllenhaal's pondering) that these characters have absolutely no idea what they are doing. It fails however in really asserting the whole grunge theme it is supposed to portray, visually it does this, but in content Cobain's death is a minor occurrence as is the rest of the world outside of a friendship. Deliberate or not, this message is presented in an upbeat and beautifully acted out way.
7/10
One cannot ignore the talent displayed in acting so dramatically suited to this film and its setting. Blair does her role justice, her 'shrouded past' is aptly suited to her almost faceless, masked characteristics. McGinley likewise takes on his wacky, very eccentric role well. It is the chemistry between Jared Leto and Jake Gyllenhaal however that gives this film a serious purpose. You know when you were 16 and your best friend hooked up with that girl you'd been talking to for months on end after he'd talked to her very briefly? That friend is Jared Leto, who's 'God of ****' is exactly what it says on the tin (the lucky bastard). Gyllenhaal then is Letos Watson to his Holmes or perhaps his Robin to his Batman. Gay undertones aside, Gyllenhalls spacey 'Pilot' bounces off of Letos Jack wonderfully, creating genuinely likable and different characters.
As for the film as a work, directing is up to scratch, Cox has done a fine job in capturing the 90s grunge movement (if such bland circumstances are in fact possible to capture)and really shines where humour in the film is presented with a basic 'if it's funny, the camera will be all over the bloody shot' theory. Flashbacks are seamlessly weaved in to the plot in order to create depth to Jack and Pilot whilst the sheer scale of the boys' adventure is never really enforced, possibly appropriately.
Highway succeeds in presenting us with a touching if slightly unoriginal best friend/jealousy tale, the acting shines through in this as we are constantly reminded (often through Gyllenhaal's pondering) that these characters have absolutely no idea what they are doing. It fails however in really asserting the whole grunge theme it is supposed to portray, visually it does this, but in content Cobain's death is a minor occurrence as is the rest of the world outside of a friendship. Deliberate or not, this message is presented in an upbeat and beautifully acted out way.
7/10